Volleyball team makes strong strides heading into last games of season

Those of you who follow the Shelter Island volleyball team here in the Reporter undoubtedly know that I am a big fan of our students and school. In non-volleyball, but related sports news, consider taking five minutes on your next walk, ride or quiet time to literally hear the voices and perspectives of our local student athletes.

Nate Sanwald, Ryan Sanwald and Jackson Rohrer’s “What We Win When We Lose” podcast —
//soundcloud.com/nate-sanwald/win-lose— just won honorable mention in the nationwide National Public Radio’s 2026 Student Podcast Challenge, and features interviews with Shelter Island students and coaches. (The Reporter will being you more on this achievement.) 

The volleyball team has reached the place in their training where the dots are connecting and individual skills are noticeably better. On Monday, Sept. 28, in the match against Southampton, we put that improvement into action.

While winning is not our primary goal, it sure is fun. With 15 athletes, ranging in experience and skill levels, I’m constantly searching for the best mix of players to have on the court for a particular opponent and matchup. 

After an O.K. start in the first set against the Mariners, we found our groove in the second scoring 19 points, one of our highest totals this season. Coach Lindsay Rando and I consulted each other, and put in the same lineup, and this time the Islanders did something they hadn’t since 2024, winning a set with a convincing 25-13 score. 

For the first time this season SI had more aces than the opponent. Our serving percentage was the highest of the season as well, despite a drop off in the fourth set. 

Sadie Green-Clark was back after a family vacation, adding senior stability and a strong serve. Ella Fundora, who is always working hard to put up good sets, made a fabulous save, racing off the court all the way to the bench to keep the play alive. 

Natalie Mamisashvili, alert at the net, hit down an overpass for a kill. Lily Potter is an active and mobile athlete, and she made her presence known with both front and back row attacks. 

Elizabeth Weslek has a strong serve and the ability to adapt to situations. She scored a season-high 10 aces in the match. To the Mariners’ chagrin, Maeve Springer scored a kill with a tricky back set over the net. Danielle Ramussen put her serve receive talents to work as well.

Although the victory in the third set ultimately did not translate into taking the match, the joy and confidence  was marvelous to see.

On Sept. 30, we traveled to the Ross School. It marked the first rematch of our League VIII competitors. We had long and better rallies, but errors on serve receive still gave the Ravens too many points. Happily, our serving, which is becoming a point of pride for the team, remained fairly strong. 

Makayla Cronin lent her calm defensive presence to the match, digging up a couple of Ross hits. Captain Juliana Medina has strong serves and is one of our most unflappable defenders. She also dug up multiple Ross hitting attempts, keeping the rallies going. Ross took the match, 3-0.

We had a fun and productive practice on Thursday, Oct. 1, featuring “Sasha” the serving machine. Both revered and feared, the machine allows athletes to challenge themselves against different and tougher serves than their teammates. I was so proud to see the tension of uncertainty give way to the determination of, “One more!”

Center Moriches is a Class B school, and part of the mandatory crossovers we have with League VII. The Red Devils have a strong feeder program and many of their athletes play for the Blaze Volleyball Club. However, on October 2, the Islanders played well, with our longest and best rallies of the season to date.  

Lily Brigham has been working hard on serve reception and defense, often staying after practice and asking for extra reps. Regina Kolmogorova-Weisenberg, already an up-and-coming blocker, attacked the ball with greater confidence. 

Lexi Bartilucci is our libero, digging up spikes but calling for back row hits. In one sequence she dug up a ball, and swung hard after being set, resulting in a kill. The joy on this quiet and hard-working leader’s face was so much fun to see, along with the glee of her teammates. 

Michelle Martinez is another under-the-radar athlete who made a fabulous sprint after a wayward ball and put it over for a save and point in third set. Emily Shepherd, who has developed into one of the most consistent servers on the team, was pressed into action as a serving specialist, and she also contributed on defense.

Lida Kendall-Posner, our youngest player, brings a terrific positive spirit both on and off the court. She played defense against the Devils, setting a great example of being able to shake off a tough play and focus on the next. In the end Center Moriches took the match 3-0.

Suddenly it’s October, with just two weeks of the season left at the time of this writing. We still have five league games and a tournament to play, including the annual Oct. 7 Dig Pink fundraiser and October 9 Senior Game.

Come to the gym and catch this spirited crew in action, demonstrating and celebrating their winning ways, even if it looks otherwise to the untrained eye or the score says differently. And don’t forget to listen to the podcast to figure out why this is so important.