The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ volleyball team wrapped up its season by celebrating its successes and looking forward to the future with high hopes.
Players enjoyed a pizza party and were presented with their commemorative felt Huntington “H’s” by head coach Carrie Postel.
Finley’s 24 player team was captained by Emily Barba, Samantha Muller, Kymora Dorvilus and Isabella Palacios.
More than 120 players tried out for this year’s team. Participation was so overwhelming that district officials are investigating the possibility of fielding two separate teams next winter so that more Finley seventh and eighth graders can join in on the fun.
Eighth grade outside hitters Emily Barba and Isabella Palacios along with eighth grade middle hitter/blocker Ashley Alexis and seventh grade setters Madyn Kalb and Jordyn Gross led Finley.
“Emily is very knowledgeable on the court,” Postel said. “She led the team in aces and kills. Madyn and Jordyn led the team in assists and Ashley had a team best number of blocks. Isabella led us in digs.”
Finley has a remarkable amount of enthusiasm. If the team stays together as it moves up the ranks to the high school, it’s expected to be a Suffolk playoff contender.
“Our best team accomplishment came in the last game of the season,” Postel said. “Even though we didn’t win, the enthusiasm and heart that was in the game was amazing. We played Elwood and we beat them in the first game. The second was close, but we lost and the third we lost. We won the fourth game and it went to the deciding fifth game. The girls hustled and encouraged each other. It was a great wrap-up game to end the season.”
