Volleyball Preview: Lakeland Hornets

Lakeland coach Steve Fallo enters this season expecting his squad to have a bounce-back campaign.

"Offensively, I am looking for some big things for us in terms of being able to block and hitting wise we should be much better than last year," Fallo said. "We were 3-13 last year with no seniors so I am expecting us to be a lot more competitive then we were last year and beat teams that are .500 or better. Last year we only had three wins against weaker teams so this year with the team we have I think we will do all right."

Fallo has three reasons to think that his team will do all right in senior co-captains, outside hitter Taylor Tuccito, back-row player Sara Oakes and setter Meghan Clifford.

Tuccito, a terrific outside hitter, is going to be one of the Hornets' big offensive weapons.

"We are going to need her to be a leader on the floor," Fallo said. "Not only is she a good offensive player she is a very good defensive player. She probably will play our middle-back position."

Oakes is Lakeland's other middle back. She is a terrific defensive player who has the ability to cover a lot of the court.

Fallo expects her to control the defensive part of the game.

Clifford is also a setter in the Hornets' 6-2 formation in addition to being a terrific outside hitter. She is the Hornets' best all-around player because of all the different things she can do according to Fallo.

"She can hit, she can pass, she can play defense," Fallo said. "I am looking for big things from Meghan."

Junior setter Erin Geoghegan does a real nice job setting the ball and is also a middle hitter. Geoghegan gives Lakeland some size at the net in addition to being a good blocker.

Sophomore middle hitter Alaina Kravitz has made a tremendous jump in her play from last year to this season, Fallo said.

"She played for us as a ninth-grader last year," Fallo said. "Just as a blocker/hitter, she was so big but this year she has improved a lot so I expect big things from her. She is an outstanding blocker, she just gets better and better as the days go on. Maybe not this year but down the road, as a junior/senior, she will be one of the top hitters."

Junior Tricia Fallo, the daughter of the Lakeland coach, is a very good defensive player who will play the back row. She hits the ball well for her size and is very knowledgeable about the game, according to the coach.

Junior Hanna Brucaj is another person who has improved tremendously from last year as she has become a much better playing at blocking at the net.

"Our big thing for us this year is that we all come back without having any seniors last year so everyone is back, they played last year," Steve Fallo said. "I am excited about that fact that we have everyone back and that everybody has improved."

2010 Lakeland Schedule

Sept. 11 @ Yorktown Tournament 9 a.m.

Sept. 14 @ Brewster 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 Mahopac 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 @ Poughkeepsie 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 Kennedy Catholic 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 24 @ Yorktown 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 Panas 4 p.m.

Sept. 30 @ Putnam Valley 4 p.m.

Oct. 1 @ Briarcliff 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Peekskill 4 p.m.

Oct. 5 John Jay-EF 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 @ Haldane 4 p.m.

Oct. 8 @ Hen Hud 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 @ Panas 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 Putnam Valley 4 p.m.

Oct. 16 @ Carmel 11 a.m.

Oct. 18 @ Peekskill 4 p.m.

Oct. 20 Haldane 4 p.m.

Oct. 22 Hen Hud 4:30 p.m.