Enthusiasm Pervades Finley Boys’ Volleyball Lineup

Enthusiasm. The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ volleyball team had it in abundant supply this past winter season. The feisty squad of 15 players worked hard and played even harder.

Finley was captained by Jackson Dickson, Wilmer Benitez Flores, Rhys Carillo and Jeremiah Dasque DeLeon. Washington Primary School physical education teacher Eric Mininni coached the team.

“Our best accomplishment this year was at home meet against West Islip Beach,” Mininni said. “Although we didn’t win, it was a huge turning point for us. We were able to take them to five tough games and although we lost the fifth game in a tiebreaker, it was at that moment that I felt the team really began to understand how to correctly play the game and develop into a competitive force on the court. They started to know their positions and where they needed to be on the court and we even started to run an offense. From that point on we really gave all our other opponents tough matches. It was impressive and exciting to watch.”

Finley’s top players included Benitez, who led the team with 46 assists; Carillo and Dasque DeLeon, who had team highs in blocks with 12; Micah Cummings, whose 47 kills were the most in that statistical category and outside hitter Henry Schmid, who had a team best 87 percent serving percentage.

Mininni had fun coaching the team. “Rhys Carrillo is a quiet leader who led by example,” the coach said. “He could dominate a game all by himself. He worked hard to become quite an efficient passer as well.”

Dickson only played in a handful of meets before he was sidelined by an injury, but he was a standout nevertheless. “He was a constant leader and was at every practice, even while injured, constantly supporting his teammates. Kids like him don’t come along very often so it was a real pleasure to have him for two years.”

Benitez Flores provide to be “super competitive” and focused on being the best player he possibly could be. “He strived every single day to improve his game,” Mininni said. “He worked incredibly hard and pushed himself daily. Along the way, he learned to become a great leader helping his teammates.

Seventh grader Gabe McManus stepped right into the lineup and played “with the confidence and maturity of the older kids,” Mininni said. “He is going to be a leader of the team next year. I expect big things from him.”

Finley played many close matches, including three that it lost by 3-2 scores. With eight seventh graders eligible to return next winter, Mininni is confident the squad will achieve success.”