Blue Devil Boys' Volleyball Rises
After years of futility and frustration, the Huntington High School boys' volleyball team is winning matches on a regular basis, capturing three of its first four contests this fall and stunning Suffolk opponents.
"This team has put in a lot of hard work over the past two years," head coach Chris Mooney said. "Last year was a rough one where we played a lot of close games, but we were unable to pull off many wins due to inexperience and lack of confidence. With almost the entire team returning this year, I knew we had the potential to put together a solid season."
Mooney has coached most of the varsity players on this year's team since they were eighth graders. "This is the first group of boys that I have been able to keep together for five years, which is essential to a successful volleyball program. "I believe that they have just begun to reach their potential and will continue to get better as the year continues with aspirations of making the playoffs and beyond."
Huntington has struggled to put a winning boys' volleyball program on the floor. "It has been hard to attract attention and get the numbers needed to be successful," Mooney said. "One of my players on the team this year said to me, 'I wish I played volleyball since eighth grade.' He explained that he did not even know we had a team. My goal is to create a successful program and that starts at the middle school level. The past two years I have only had 1 player come out for the high school team from the middle school and I am hoping our success will change that and that we will again have a season like this one with my eighth graders that go to Finley now."
The Blue Devils are paced by senior John McCarthy, who is among the top players on Long Island this fall. The teenager leads the team in "kills" and is second in aces. "His athleticism and determination allow him to continue to grow and I will be excited to see him play at the college level next year," Mooney said. "John is an all-around player as he has a strong jump serve, a devastating attack and is also a great passer. He is not only a successful player, but succeeds academically as well, and has a bright future ahead of him."
Senior Michael Sullivan is another key cog in Huntington's machine. "Sully has grown so much over the past two years," Mooney said. "Last year he showed flashes of brilliance during practices, but never put it fully together during the games. This year his confidence has grown and he has become an elite player."
Sullivan leads the team in aces and is second in kills behind McCarthy. "His greatest attribute is his leadership," Mooney said. "He truly epitomizes the definition of a captain. As a coach, I have never been as proud of a player as I am of Mike."
Ryan Casale is the Blue Devils' sophomore setter and he leads the team in assists. "The setter is the most important position on the court and he has truly grown into his role," Mooney said. "His skills continue to grow and he is becoming a great player, even at his young age. Our recent success coincides with his strong play and hustle on the court."
Senior Mitchell Johnson is the team's libero or defensive specialist. "After being a setter last year, Mitch offered to take a role of the libero this year for the better of the team," Mooney said. "His defensive ability is outstanding and his unselfishness has been a key to our success."
Seniors Tyon Herion and Will Christensen are both first year starters at middle blocker and continue to grow as players. "They both share the title of most improved players on our team," Mooney said.
Senior Joe Straub is Huntington's court leader. "He always pushes the other guys to give it their all and has developed into a very solid starter for us," Mooney said.
Just how far Huntington can go is anyone's guess, but right now Mooney is quite pleased with his Blue Devil squad. "As a team, they are completely unselfish and push each other to get better," he said. "From the starters to the reserves everyone works hard in practice, understands their role and really work together to create a great team atmosphere."