Finley Girls’ Volleyball-Blue Displays Depth

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School “blue” girls’ volleyball team was led by a group of seven eighth grade players. The Blue Devils were coached by Woodhull physical education teacher Carrie Postel. The team played a 10 game schedule.

The top players included

Angela Abbatiello (outside hitter; led the team in kills), Emma Barch (outside hitter; led the team in kills and digs), Ava Bencivenga (setter; led the team in assists), Olivia Koiyet (middle hitter; led the team in blocks), Violet Palacios (libero; led the team in digs), Lia Zivkovic (setter; led the team in assists) and Taylor Ranft (outside hitter; led the team in aces).

“Angela Abbatiello is a leader on the court,” Postel said. “When she was out on the court she always gave it her all. This was Emma Barch’s first year playing on the volleyball team and you would never think she has never played before. She picked up the sport right away. Emma would run through walls to get a ball. She hustles every time she is out on the court. Ava Bencivenga is a returner from last year. As a setter, Ava was smart with her plays and she was a positive leader on the court.”

Huntington’s deep squad and bench provided for versatility throughout the season. Finley-Blue practiced and played its matches in the Finley gym.

“Olivia Koiyet was also a returner from last year,” Postel said. “Olivia was amazing at the net once she figured out she could block other teams. Violet Palacios is a universal player. Even though she led the team in digs she was able to play any position on the court. If someone was absent Violet could fill the position. Lia Zivkovic was a positive leader on the court and helped us win a few games this year. Taylor Ranft was a returner from last year. She led us in aces. This helped us to win games. Serving in middle school volleyball helps your team win games.”

The roster consisted of eighth graders Angela Abbatiello, Emma Barch, Ava Bencivenga, Caleigh Camarata, Shealyn Gilroy, Mia Gulino, Olivia Koiyet, Violet Palacios, Taylor Ranft and Lia Zivkovic; and seventh graders Elisabetta Arra, Olivia Corcoran, Victoria Creegan, Annie Lopez Berrios, Shelby Meystrick, Gianna Parides, Lily Policastro, Maya Schneider and Annabel Stein

“The best team accomplishment was when we beat Brentwood,” Postel said. “The girls worked hard and played together. The match was won in the first three games. The girls played volleyball with bump, set and spike. It was an amazing game to watch.”

Coaches are planning intramural volleyball sessions in the spring and summer. The Huntington varsity is striving to develop the Blue Devil program into one of Suffolk’s finest.

“Another team accomplishment was when we played the Finley-White team and the girls gathered in the middle and did a chant as a program before the game started,” Postel said. “It was so nice to see them come together as one program even though they were playing against each other. “

“I really enjoyed coaching this team,” Postel said. “There was a lot of talent, competitiveness and determination to try and win games. The girls worked hard to try and improve their game and it paid off. Middle school level volleyball is all about learning how to play the sport the correct way.”