By Bill Landon
It was a battle of the unbeatens Thursday afternoon, Sept. 19, between defending Long Island champions Port Jefferson Royals and Center Moriches Red Devils.
Although losing several key seniors to graduation from their 2023 Long Island championship season, it didn’t seem to matter when the Royals attacked with vicious serves and several monster digs. There were 34 kills at the net to sweep the match, 25-19, 25-18, 25-14.
Sophomore Ava Reilly was the cornerstone of the offense with 28 assists, nine digs a kill and an ace. McKayla Pollard notched 15 kills to go with six digs, along with sophomores Thea Mangels who killed six, had a dig and a service ace and Lina DeLeo who had seven digs, two aces and five kills at the net. The quartet was a potent combination throughout in dominating the play at the net.
The win lifted the Royals to the top of the League VII leaderboard.
The team continued its impressive form with 3-0 victories over Greenport/Southold, Sept. 21, and Shelter Island, Sept. 23, for a 7-0 record to date.
— Photos by Bill Landon
