The Hicksville girls volleyball team improved to 7-1 by knocking off Oceanside in three consecutive sets by scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-14.
Emily Markakis played terrificly, using a powerful serve to record three aces, seven kills and added nine digs. Nikki Chase added six kills and eight digs. Additionally, Raeann Dong was versatile—recording three aces, seven kills and nine digs.
First year Head Coach Katie Maher was extremely proud of the way her team performed. “We played clean today,” she said. “If only we could play this strong every time.”
In fact, both teams played very well. There were volleys that featured 10+ hits that made it appear nobody wanted to allow the opposition to record a point. Ultimately, the Comets were able to win each match because they dominated towards the end in all three.
In the second match, it appeared Oceanside was about to take control when they went up 9-6, but the Comets fought back to even the score at 13 apiece. From that moment, they went on a run in which they scored 12 points and held Oceanside to six.
The third match wasn’t as close, but it was 6-5 and then 10-6 early on. The Comets played dominantly from that point on, ending the game with a 15-9 run.
Maher noted that it was important for her team to get back on track after they suffered their first team at the hands of Oyster Bay in five matches.
Overall the Comets have been dominant. This was the fourth time this season they knocked off the opposition in three straight sets. The leadership on the team has been terrific.
“We have six seniors and we’ve been leaning on them,” said Maher. It has led them to being in first place in Conference AA-II, one year after going winless—a truly impressive turnaround.
The Comets have four games remaining on the regular season schedule—beginning this weekend against Uniondale, who sits at 4-4. Maher stated that the key will be to perform at the level they played at in these matches.
