With a playoff appearance and four players capturing post-season awards, the Huntington High School varsity girls’ volleyball team is on the upswing.
The Blue Devils won five meets and finished fourth in the league standings, which amount to the most successful season in many years. The team was captained by senior Caroline Lenze and junior Cat Jamison and coached by Huntington alum Lauren Visbal.
Huntington varsity girls' volleyball head coach Lauren Visbal. (Darin Reed photo.)
Jamison garnered All-Conference and All-County Tournament honors. Lenze, Maddie Reed and Shannon Kehoe were all named All-League. Kehoe added Suffolk League IV Rookie of the Year Award recognition.
Jamison enjoyed an exceptional year with 175 kills, 145 digs, 34 aces and six blocks. “Cat played a huge role in the team’s success,” Visbal said. “She is out top hitter and can silence a gym when she kills a ball. Her leadership on this team is inspiring and her love for the team and the sport is evident.”
Lenze turned in a great season, tallying 30 kills, 47 digs and 19 aces. “Caroline has grown into such a strong player over the last four years,” Visbal said. “She was a big motivator for the team with her leadership skills, which was crucial at many matches that were close. She has a lot of love for this team and will be missed next year.”
A spectacular middle hitter, Reed recorded 48 kills, 11 digs, 29 aces and 13 blocks. “Maddie is a solid player,” Visbal said. “Her presence at the net was amazing. Her speed and ability to kill the ball and block her opponent was a big part of why we did so well this season.”
As the Blue Devils’ freshman setter, Kehoe shined this past fall. The teenager notched 291 assists, 36 digs, 18 kills, 15 aces and six blocks. “Shannon has changed Huntington volleyball with her abilities,” Visbal said. “The pace of the game is a lot faster and more consistent with her on the court. She is an incredible setter and I’m excited to see her grow each year.”
The team also included Maria Durand, Kiara Gelbman, Grace Heuwetter, Peyton Kalb, Shaye O’Beirne, Sophia Severine, Isabella Toscano and Steli Vlahos.
With only Lenze and O’Beirne graduating, Visbal sees Huntington returning a very competitive team next fall, allowing the upswing the Blue Devils are experiencing to continue.
“We were much more competitive this year,” Visbal said. “With our record being 5-5, we landed a spot in the playoffs for the first time in a while. Because our team was more consistent, we had a lot of success. The three tournaments that we participated in also helped enhance our team’s performance.”
