Volleyball: Riverhead falls to Ward Melville, 3-1

After a successful 8-4 league season, the Riverhead volleyball team made the playoffs as the No. 11 seed, a first since 2010. They faced off against a modestly seeded (No. 6) Ward Melville team that finished 11-1 in League I.

Coming from League IV, the Blue Waves were definitely expected to lose as League I is supposed to exhibit some of the best talent in the county because of the large school size. But being in opposite leagues doesn’t mean that they didn’t know each other.

“We were in a tournament together earlier this season but didn’t play each other,” Ward Melville head coach Charlie Fernandez said. “But I went and watched their game because I knew their coach is really good. Even though it was September, I could already tell Riverhead was going to be a good team.”

That Blue Waves squad even took the first set on his home court, 25-20.

Fernandez, visibly frustrated, demanded more of his team and they responded, winning the next three sets (25-13, 25-14, 25-14) to take the match.

“Those kids came to play,” Fernandez said of the Waves. “They didn’t seem spooked by the room. There’s a lot of teams that come through that door very nervous and I don’t think the Riverhead kids were nervous at all.”

“We knew coming in here it was going to be a tough game — half of their team plays club,” Riverhead head coach Amy Greene said. “But we had nothing to lose. We came in strong and playing hard and hoping for the best.”

Playing year-round is something that Ward Melville’s coach couldn’t stress enough.

“The kids that are serious volleyball players need to play year-round volleyball,” Fernandez said. “It’s a big difference-maker. On some of the long points, experience kind of steps in the picture. Whether they do it locally or join a travel team, it’s going to strengthen things.”

Though a loss always stings, Greene was very optimistic about how the season turned out.

“We accomplished a goal,” Greene said. “We got to our goal this season. We haven’t reached that goal in three years and to make the playoffs is a huge accomplishment. It’s a testament to how hard the girls worked. Their defense is really what got us here. We had great swingers and great seniors that are going to be missed.”

Riverhead graduates five seniors — Sara Tucci, Hali Martens, Danielle Thomas, Megan Brewer and Alison Fox — all of which were starters.

“It was the best season I’ve ever had,” Martens said. “Like I couldn’t ask for anything better. We came from winning against one team to making the playoffs. I love all the girls on this team, it’s hard to believe it’s all over.”

“They’ve worked hard for four years,” Greene said. “And it all built up to this one time in the playoffs and that’s all they wanted. We got here.”

Among the returnees, junior libero Joscelin Morrow garnered praise from the Ward Melville coach.

“The libero was just outstanding,” Fernandez said. “One of the best we’ve seen all year.”

So though the season has come to a close, it’s not farewell until next season for the underclassmen. Coach Greene plans on getting the girls involved in club volleyball to build on what was accomplished this year.

“They’re on the right path,” Fernandez said of the Blue Waves program. “I said it already, but I’ll say it again, it starts with a great coach and you’ve definitely got one.”

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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