Comsewogue’s Joey Santoro from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Timmy Crabbe digs one out for the Warriors. Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon
Andrew Krieg sets the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Timmy Crabbe digs one out. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Kyle Buck attacks at the net. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Andrew Krieg from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Timmy Crabbe sets the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Kyle Buck from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Joey Santoro from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Julian Meyers with a kill shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Timmy Crabbe sets the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Andrew Krieg sets the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Kyle Buck with a kill shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Julian Meyers digs one out. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Julian Meyers sets the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Joey Santoro with a service ace. Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Timmy Crabbe from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue keeps the ball in play. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Julian Meyers puts the ball in play. Photo by Bill Landon
After dropping the first three games of this early season, the Comsewogue boys volleyball team notched its first win defeating Central Islip a day earlier and looked to make it two in a row when hosting West Babylon Thursday, Sept. 14.
Comsewogue led the first set from start to finish, but the team found itself trailing by five in the second set.
Still, the Warriors managed to rally back to win it and take the match, sweeping the Eagles 25-21, 25-13, 25-16.
The win lifts the Warriors to 2-3 on the season. They will retake the court with another home game against Smithtown East Sept. 19. Game time is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
Northport celebrates winning its season opener against Comsewogue. All photos by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
Students across Long Island squeezed one last day out of summer vacation Tuesday, Sept. 5, but the Northport Tiger boys volleyball team was certainly open for business.
The Tigers traveled to Port Jefferson Station and vanquished the Comsewogue Warriors in three straight games, barely breaking a sweat. The scores were 25-17, 25-17 and a final dominating game of 25-8 to close out the match.
It marked the debut of new head coach, Liz Capra — Northport Class of 2000, former lady Tiger volleyball star and University of Delaware graduate. She was the girls junior varsity coach last year and has now taken over from the departed Amanda DiPietro, who had piloted the team since 2008.
The Tigers dominated the match from wire to wire as senior middle hitters Brendan Fenlon and Peter Kucza imposed their size over the smaller front line of Comsewogue. Fenlon had eight kills and Kucza had six to go along with his seven blocks at the net. Setter Dylan Sofarelli had an eye-popping 23 assists as well as 6 digs.
“It felt like nobody could stop us out there tonight,” said Sofarelli. “There is no better feeling than that, and it was awesome.”
Capra was pleased about the waythe way the Tigers played as a team, considering that the season is in its infancy.
“It was a total team effort tonight,” Capra said. “We served very well, got the ball deep, and that kept them from easily setting up their offense.”
The Tigers took advantage by taking shallow returns and bombing away from every angle, spiking the ball almost at will against the outgunned Warriors.
Above, middle hitter Peter Kucza with one of his six kills. Photo by Steven Zaitz
“It’s a great way to kick off the year,” Kucza said. “Coach Capra had us prepared, she’s very knowledgeable about the game. We really had a good plan and once we started to get warmed up, we played really well.”
Getting warmed up was not exactly difficult for either team on this day, as it was 90 degrees outside at the start of the match and probably an extra 10 degrees inside the Comsewogue gym. In fact, the volleyball itself had to be switched out several times due to moisture accumulation and the floor had to be mopped frequently between points. None of these factors slowed down Northport.
“Coach DiPietro did such an amazing job of building a strong foundation for this program,” said Capra, who as a middle hitter won two Long Island championships and three league championships as a Lady Tiger. “It’s a privilege to get the opportunity to carry on the excellence of Northport volleyball as a former player to now, 23 years later, as a coach. It feels great to start off with this win.”
If Tuesday’s match result is any indication, it will be the first of many for Capra. When asked if she’s ready for perhaps a 15-year run of her own as coach, she displayed that she has already mastered yet another aspect of coaching — handling the media.
“We got to take them one match at a time,” she said.
That next match will be at West Babylon Sept. 7. Capra will make her home debut as coach against Patchogue-Medford on Sept. 13.
The Ward Melville Patriots boys volleyball team was down 0-2 Oct. 20, but not for long. The team rallied in their home game against Connetquot, and the Patriots emerged with a reverse sweep in the Division 1 matchup. The final score, 3-2.
The win ended the regular season for the Patriots where they stand 13-1 in their division. The night also earned them a first round bye in the playoffs.
During the crucial matchup, captain Jarod Popp had 23 kills, 16 digs and two blocks, while sophomore Kyle Fagan had 23 kills and 14 digs.
Popp called the team “incredible.”
“Now our focus is on the playoffs where any team, one through seven, can win it all,” he said.
Richie Ragonese, senior captain, called both teams “very talented.”
“We had our backs against the wall and knew we had to change that,” Ragonese said. “We fought hard until the last ball dropped.”
Head Coach Brian O’Shaughnessy said he was proud “of how hard our boys worked and fought in that game.”
“To come together and battle back from being down 0-2, to a team of Connetquot’s caliber was impressive to watch,” O’Shaughnessy said. “It showed how determined and resilient our boys can be.”
Ward Melville will play a home game Saturday, Oct 29, at noon against the winner of Wednesday’s West Islip vs. Bay Shore match. The winner of Saturday’s game will go on to the Suffolk County finals.
Ward Melville senior Christian Reina and Carlo Fontanini battle at net for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Christian Reina with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Shawn Legge spikes the ball for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Adam Persky battles at net for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville’s Shawn Legge and Carlo Fontanini battle at net for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp keeps the ball in play in for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp drops the ball in for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Keelan Sohl keeps the ball in play for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan with a block for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Keelan Sohl sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan keeps the ball in play for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Richie Ragonese digs one out for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Keelan Sohl sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Advantage Patriots. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Andrew Desimone sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan spikes at net for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville #2 from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Pat-Med Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
When Ward Melville, who sits atop the division leaderboard at 11-1, matched up against the Patchogue-Medford Raiders at 10-2 in a road game, it took five sets to determine the outcome in the Oct. 18 showdown.
The Raiders took the Patriots to the fence in the first set edging their opponents, 30-28. Ward Melville answered in the second set putting the Raiders away, 25-14, to make it a new game. Pat-Med held on in the third set winning, 25-22, but again the Patriots countered with a 26-24 win in the fourth forcing a game five. Unlike the other four, the fifth set winner needed only 15 points for the decision, and the Patriots decided it 15-10 to take the 3-2 victory.
The win lifts the Patriots to 12-1 and will host Connetquot also, 12-1, Thursday, Oct. 20, in the regular season finale for the division title. Post season play begins Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Smithtown West senior Jack Setter sets up the play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Joseph Carpenter from the service line for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher returns for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor with the return for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher attempts a block for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Bulls battle at net. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher attacks at net for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Point Smithtown West
Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor with the return for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher attacks at net for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher serves the ball for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor from the service line for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Joseph Carpenter sets the play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor keeps the ball in play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher from the service line for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Benjamin Moncayo sets the play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher with a kill shot for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor keeps the ball in play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Patrick Burke blocks the ball for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Bulls battle at the net in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Jack Setter sets up the play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Patrick Burke spikes the ball for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Jack Setter sets the play for the Bulls in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept 20. Bill Landon photo
The Bulls of Smithtown West (2-3) traveled to Eastport-South Manor (3-2) in a volleyball matchup and smelled blood after winning the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-21.
But the Sharks thwarted the sweep winning game three, 25-22, to force a game four. Neither team had more than a three-point advantage until the Bulls dominated at net late in the fourth set to win the match, 25-19, in the 3-1 victory Sept. 20.
Pictured clockwise from above, Smithtown West senior Jack Setter sets up the play; point Smithtown West; Smithtown West junior Anthony Fedor keeps the ball in play; Bulls battle at the net; Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher with a kill shot for the Bulls; Fedor keeps the ball in play; and Smithtown West senior Matthew Fisher from the service line.
At 0-3 to start the season, the Comsewogue boys volleyball team searched for that elusive first win during a road game against the Center Moriches Red Devils on Monday, Sept. 12.
But victory just wasn’t in the cards. Comsewogue forced the Red Devils to win by two, but dropped the close first set. Comsewogue rallied back to win the second set with a five-point cushion.
Center Moriches returned the favor, winning in the third. The Warriors rallied to stay alive, winning the fourth set and forcing a fifth and final game. Despite a late-game Warrior surge, the Red Devils held on for the 3-2 victory.
The Warriors will retake the court on Thursday, Sept. 15, at home against Smithtown East. The first service is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp keeps the ball in play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp puts the ball in play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Andrew Desimone sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Brady Reyling battles at net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Jake Hendel sets up for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Jake Hendel from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan battles at net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Keelan Sohl sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan from the service line for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Keelan Sohl sets up for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Patriots at the ready.
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Shawn Legge battles at net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Shawn Legge and Carlo Fontanini battle at net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp with a kill shot for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan spikes at net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Kyle Fagan sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior outside hitter Jaron Popp with the return for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Andrew Desimone sets the play for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Adam Persky tips the ball over the net for the Patriots in a road game against Eastport South Manor Sept. 8. Photo by Bill Landon
When the Patriots of Ward Melville came knocking on Eastport South Manor’s door the Sharks would take the match to five sets in league volleyball action Sept 8.
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp, a powerhouse at the net, had 37 kills in the contest leading his team to the 3-2 victory — 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 24-26 and 15-11 in the fifth and deciding set.
Teammate Carlo Fontanini killed 11 along with four blocks, and Keelan Sohl had 38 assists.
The win lifts the Patriots to 3-0 and hands Eastport South Manor their first loss, dropping the Sharks to 2-1
Smithtown West Div. 1 Long Island Champions Nov. 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown West outside hitter Matthew Fisher battles at the net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West Div. 1 Long Island Champions Nov. 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Frank Paccione at net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Point Smithtown West
Smithtown West seniors Dan Shanley and Frank Paccione battle at net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West seniors Frank Paccione, Dan Shanley and the junior Matthew Fisher at the ready for the Bulls in the Div 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Ryan Downing from the service line in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Aaron Mangino blocks a shot for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Dan Shanley from the service line for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Point Smithtown West
Point Smithtown West
Smithtown West Div. 1 Long Island Champions Nov. 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown West
Smithtown West senior Dan Shanley with a kill shot for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Dan Shanley sets the play for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Smithtown West seniors Aaron Mangino and Frank Paccione at net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Matthew Fisher spikes at net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship victory against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Matthew Fisher and Ryan Downing for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship victory against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Smithtown West Div .1 Long Island Champions Nov. 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown West.
Smithtown West senior Dan Shanley with a block for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Parker McKee sets the play for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Aaron Mangino spikes at net for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West Div. 1 Long Island Champions Nov. 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Matthew Fisher, Ryan Downing and Adam Bender at the ready for the Bulls in the Div. 1 Long Island Championship game against Massapequa Nov. 11. Bill Landon photo
After losing the first set, 23-25, to the Nassau County Division 1 champions, the Bulls of Smithtown West rallied in the second edging Massapequa, 25-23, to even the match in the Long Island Championship game at Longwood High School Nov. 11
It was a lop-sided third set where the Bulls won it decisively, 25-15, looking for the win in the best of five games. The Bulls did just that with a 25-23 victory in the fourth set for a 3-1 victory and with it, punched their tickets to the State Finals at the Albany Center Nov. 20.
The win lifts the Bulls to 11-4 on the season and will begin with pool play at the Albany Center at 10 a.m. followed by the NYS semi-final round of the Division 1 finals at 3 p.m..
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski from service in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski #7 and Jake Zarko battle at net in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Will Fitzpatrick sets the play for the Tigers in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport's Will Fitzpatrick from the service line in the Suffolk AA Championship game. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West, Suffolk class AA Champions at Longwood High School Nov 9. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Victory Smithtown West. Bill Landon
Northport players congratulate Smithtown West as newly crowned Suffolk class AA champions Nov 9. Credit: Bill Landon
Point Smithtown West.
Smithtown West senior Parker McKee keeps the ball in play in the Suffolk class AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Parker McKee with a save in play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Parker McKee sets the play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Parker McKee keeps the ball in play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Matthew Fisher from service in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Matthew Fisher digs one out for the Bulls in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Joseph Mitchell sets the play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Joseph Mitchell with a drop shot in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Joseph Mitchell sets the play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Joe Haubrich with a return in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Joe Haubrich with a return in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Joe Haubrich puts the ball in play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Frank Paccione blocks a shot for the Bulls in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Frank Paccione with a kill shot for the Bulls in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Daniel Shanley from the service line in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Daniel Shanley with a kill shot in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Daniel Shanley spikes at net in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Daniel Shanley sets the play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Chris Collier puts the ball in play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Smithtown West Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Aaron Mangino keeps the ball in play in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Aaron Mangino from the service line in the Suffolk AA Championship game against Northport Nov 9. Bill Landon photo
The Northport Tigers, the No. 1 seed, faced the No. 3 seed Smithtown West in the Suffolk AA Championship game at Longwood High School Nov. 9. West won the first two sets before Northport won the third forcing a game four. The Bulls took the fourth set to win the game 25-22, 26-24, 15-25 and 25-20 and will advance to the Long Island Championship (regional final) Nov. 11.
Senior Daniel Shanley led the way for the Bulls with 20 kills. Smithtown West returns to Longwood High School where they’ll face Massapequa. Game time is 11 a.m.
Northport’s Will Fitzpatrick from the service line for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport wins.
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski from the service line for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Jake Zarko from the service line for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Aidan Flinn from the service line for Northport in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski with a spike at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport libero Joe Haubrich sets up the play for the Tigers in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport libero Joe Haubrich puts the ball in play for the Tigers in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski with a spike at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Advantage Northport
Aidan Flinn sets the play for Northport in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski with a service ace for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s John Dwyer and Brendan Fenlon battle at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Will Fitzpatrick sets the play for Northport in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport from service line at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Brendan Fenlon battles at net for the Tigers in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski battles at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div I game against Lindenhurst Nov 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Point
Aidan Flinn at net for Northport in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski with a kill shot for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s John Dwyer battles at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport libero Joe Haubrich sets up the play for the Tigers in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski battles at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Point Northport.
Northport’s Jake Zarko from the service line for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Brendan Fenlon with a tap at net for the Tigers in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Bill Landon photo
Northport’s Zack Zdrojeski battles at net for the Tigers at home in the semi-final Div. I game against Lindenhurst Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Advantage Northport
Despite trailing, 10-4, in the opening set on Nov. 4, the Northport Tigers dropped the hammer and swept visiting Lindenhurst in three sets 25-19, 25-15 and 25-20 to advance to the final round of the boys volleyball Division I Suffolk title game.
Zack Zdrojeski set the tone for the Tigers with 17 kills and three service aces. Aidan Flinn killed six as did Brendon Fenlon and John Dwyer. Will Fitzpatrick notched 30 assists, and libero Joe Haubrich had 25 digs.
Northport faces Smithtown West Nov. 9 at Longwood High School.
Game time is scheduled 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.
It marked the debut of new head coach, Liz Capra — Northport Class of 2000, former lady Tiger volleyball star and University of Delaware graduate. She was the girls junior varsity coach last year and has now taken over from the departed Amanda DiPietro, who had piloted the team since 2008.
