Volleyball: Glen Cove's 2011 Preview

In very few instances, a high school team can talk about addition by subtraction. But for the Glen Cove Big Red volleyball team, that is exactly what has happened for their 2011 season.

Despite three key seniors from last year's team graduating, there are six seniors on the roster for the current year, five of them being starters. That includes captains Meghan O'Connell and Alison Baade.

While it is definitely a luxury to have that kind of experience on a roster, head coach Matthew Carbone works closely with Junior Varsity coach Amanda Sullivan, seeking a player to step up and show that they can be a leader after this group of seniors graduate.

“Our sophomore setter Abby Olsen…needs to step up in that role,” said Carbone. “If she is going to be a leader, she has to start doing it now.”

Big Red finished a game under .500 last year and coach Carbone is looking to improve on that record by at least a game. And while they most definitely want to win, that is not considered the be-all, end-all for his squad.

“Our motto is that if we get better as a team and try our best, then it's a successful season,” said Carbone.

Last Season: 7-9

Head Coach: Matthew Carbone

Top Players:

• Meghan O'Connell, senior, setter
• Alison Baade, senior, attacker
• Gabriella Ermmarino, junior, setter

Position Breakdown: As an undersized team, Big Red's key to success will be the quality serving, as well as the quality of defense played. That is why coach Carbone will be looking at Antonella D'Ambrosia to continue to prove herself as the team's best defensive player.

Jasmine Battle was noted by coach Carbone as the team's best attacker. However, he also feels that Nicole Alexander will be able to make large enough strides to be considered one of the team's best on the attack, alongside Battle.

“We didn't get her exactly where we were expecting her to get last year,” said Carbone of Alexander. “But this year, already, I think she's made more progress in the first couple of days than she did all of last year. She could be a huge, huge powerhouse in our conference because of her size and her ability.”

The aforementioned Olsen and O'Connell will be highlighted by opponents as the one's to avoid as the best setters on the team.

Expectations: According to coach Carbone, the biggest obstacle for his team to overcome this year is going to be their size. That is why, at practice today, he was preaching more than just technique to his players, but communication on the court as well.

Size disadvantage or not, if the Big Red volleyball team wants to make a leap into contention as a top team in their conference, it is going to be now. With a core of seniors, the experience is there. They have already won the first game of the season but they have some difficult tests ahead on the schedule. If this team is able build on the first win, and they jell as a whole, there is a possibility they will surprise many people this year.

Key Games:

• Sept. 20: Glen Cove @ Mepham, 4:30 p.m.
• Sept. 26: Roslyn @ Glen Cove, 4:30 p.m.
• Oct. 19: Mepham @ Glen Cove, 4:30 p.m.
• Oct. 26: Sweanhaka @ Glen Cove, 4:30 p.m.