Varsity and JV Indians remain undefeated


The junior varsity team, also undefeated in league play, kept fans and coaches on the edge of their seats before pulling out a heart-stopping, extra-innings game against a tough and determined Center Moriches team. The Red Devils JV has been the toughest team on their schedule. The last time the teams met on September 20, the match also went to a tiebreaker and Shelter Island came out on top, 25-23.

The team started slowly. Center Moriches was much improved over last month, with some very tough serves that helped them power out to an 11-point lead in the first set. But Shelter Island buckled down, kept their spirits up with positive words from Tara Sturges and fought back to a respectable 18-25 finish.

The second set saw a reversal of fortunes. The Red Devils served poorly, while the blue and grey started running their offense and communicating better. Melissa Ames kept the team focused, pinpointing the areas they needed to work on. Sam Capello served smart, keeping her focus through two Center Moriches time outs and scoring five aces in her seven consecutive serves. This set went to the home team, 25-17.

The third and deciding game was an uphill battle for the Indians. Center Moriches’ number 29 served out to a 4-0 lead before a determined Aterahme Lawrence delivered two aces to pull within 1 point. Corrine Mahoney got some touches on her blocking and then, keeping her cool, popped the ball back up for teammates to put over.

However, down 6 at 18-12, Red Devils, things looked grim. Fortunately an Erin Colligan ace and a Tiearza Lawrence block pulled the score within 3 at 18-15. Unfortunately, Jayme Clark, the team’s normally unshakeable server missed her serve. Luckily Logan Pendergrass served four consecutive winning points to pull Shelter Island even at 21-21. The fans in the stands pounded their hands and feet to encourage the girls.

But two bad hits later Shelter Island stood on the brink of losing their first match of the year with the score at 24-22, Center Moriches. But a Red Devils player got in the way of a ball as it was going out of bounds, giving Shelter Island a last gasp chance. Brianna Rietvelt was in the hot seat — if she missed the serve, the Red Devils would win. She served an ace. Center Moriches called a time out. She served another ace, giving the Indians the advantage, 25-24. But you need to win by 2, and her third serve went into the net, 25-25.

Center Moriches’ tough server, number 29, let nerves get the better of her, and missed her serve; Indians up by 1. But a missed pass by Shelter Island tied it up again. Red Devils missed another serve, and a Jayme Clark free ball pass that Center Moriches just couldn’t handle hit the floor and a joyful and tearful team exploded into shouts of victory, 28-26.

VARSITY

The varsity team is gearing up for play-offs. Knowing that the squad will face tougher blocks and serves, the girls have been focusing on their serve receive and running various options. Setter Haley Willumsen has been given the green light to run the floor, and she has come up big, spreading the ball to all players while giving fans a taste of what a fast-paced offense looks like.

On October 20 the team was hot, and played very well against Center Moriches, sweeping them 25-7, 25-16, 25-13. The match can be seen in its entirety on msgvarsity.com, along with interviews of Coach Cindy Belt, Kelsey McGayhey and captains Stephanie Vecchio and Haley Willumsen.

The Dig Pink rally was held on Friday, October 22. Shelter Island’s Dig Pink event is one of many being held across the nation during the month of October. It was started in 2004 specifically to use volleyball as an avenue to raise awareness and funds that go toward breast cancer research and support organizations. Here in Suffolk County virtually every girls volleyball team is participating in a Dig Pink event this month.

Nurse Mary Kanarvogel introduced the event and breast cancer survivor Theresa Montant spoke about the importance of knowing about breast density. High density can make it difficult for mammograms to find cancer and other methods should be used.

The players from both Pierson/Bridgehampton and Shelter Island wore pink jerseys and the Indians athletes also presented pink carnations to their moms, grandmothers and other female relatives. Raffles and pink concessions helped raise $450 for breast cancer awareness and research. Despite the potential distractions of the pink-themed day, the varsity won their match against the Whalers, 25-20, 25-22, 25-12.

The Monday, October 25 match at The Ross School was a great chance to give lots of players time on the court. Because Ross has no JV squad, Melissa Ames, Jayme Clark, Erin Colligan and Tara Sturges all had a chance to suit up for the varsity contest. The experienced and younger players meshed well, and walked away with a 25-12, 25-15 and 25-12 victory.

The volleyball teams both have two matches remaining to defend their undefeated records. The Senior Send-Off and the final home game against Port Jefferson will be today. The send-off starts at about 4:15 p.m. and the varsity game at 4:30 p.m.

Both squads will travel to McGann-Mercy on November 2. The varsity will continue into the post-season with the Section 11 Class D playoffs during the first week of November. Come cheer on the teams during this remarkable season!