Undefeated Glenn girls volleyball team has big goals in mind
Glenn's Diana Muniz reacts after defeating Hampton Bays in a girls volleyball match at Glenn on Monday. Credit: Brad Penner
After going undefeated and winning a county title last spring, the Glenn girls volleyball team hopes to repeat that rare feat this season.
Securing their 26th consecutive victory on Monday night certainly brought the Knights another step closer.
Outside hitter Shannon McGrath had 19 digs and five kills, and setter Shayna Purow notched 13 assists, three kills and one ace as Glenn defeated visiting Hampton Bays in Suffolk V, 25-11, 25-16, 25-17.
"It’s definitely been on our minds the whole season," Purow said. "We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves so we focus on one game. But it’s definitely been in the back of our minds, so we’ve been talking about it. We know this team is capable of really big things. So we’re excited to get to that point where we can really show what we can do."
Glenn improved to 9-0. Hampton Bays is 4-5.
While putting together another undefeated run to a Suffolk Class B championship is a goal for this group, they’re also seeking a far greater level of success.
"We would like to go undefeated," McGrath said. "That’s the goal. Every day we talk about going to the state championship. That’s where we want to be. We have the ability as long as we stay together and work together as a team. First step is counties and then from there we’ll go to the Long Island championship and states."
Glenn had a strong first set before having to rally to win the the second set. Leading 14-13, Glenn tallied seven consecutive points thanks to the quality play of Purow, outside hitter Abby Miller and middle Isabella Ross.
Hampton Bays responded by taking a 6-1 advantage to begin the final set, but Glenn took over by winning 14 of the next 16 points to move ahead 15-8 en route to the win.
"The key today was bringing the team’s energy together," said Ross, who had eight kills, three aces, three digs and one block. "I felt like when we had the momentum we were able to pick up on that."
Also confident in his team’s potential to repeat last season’s rare feat is Glenn coach Nick Tremaroli.
"I think our chances are good," he said. "This is a great group of girls. They’re mostly returners from last year. So they know what it takes and what they have to do. They know they have to work hard and keep pushing through, and as long as they remain focused and mentally ready, there’s no question that we can get there."
