Sports
Volleyball: New Hyde Park Girls 2011 Preview
The Gladiators join Conference A2 and hope to win their way into the playoffs.
The New Hyde Park girls volleyball team will take a step up this season and face some stiffer competition in a tough Conference A2.
Coach: Jackie Rizzuti
Expectations: "We are going to face some good teams this season," said Head Coach Jackie Rizzuti. "But hopefully we will have a .500 or above record so we can make playoffs. That is our goal to make the playoffs."
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Returning/Departing Players: The team has nine players returning from last year's squad but will miss the presence of graduating seniors Ciara McCullagh and Maria Katsoulis.
"They provided height and a lot of our athleticism," said Rizzuti, "but we still have some key players returning."
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Position Breakdown: Those players include 5'11 Senior Middle Hitter Kimberly Connors and Senior Hitter Shani Thomas.
Seniors Kristi Kofler, Marissa Ngai, Shannon Sunny and Krystine Abberton are also back.
There are a few girls who moved up from junior varsity and they will have some big shoes to fill.
Junior Middle Hitter Liz Braun will take over for Ciara McCullagh and Samantha Bangag will replace Maria Katsoulis in the hitter's spot. Junior Stacy Chirayath will play a main role as the setter.
Key Games: Some teams they will face in their conference include Great Neck North, Valley Stream South, Hewlett, Lynbrook and Plainedge.
