Dylan Katz makes big impact in Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK girls volleyball's win over Bellmore JFK
Dylan Katz of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK serves to Bellmore JFK team during a Nassau volleyball match on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Credit: Dawn McCormick
The impact of Dylan Katz could be felt from every spot on the court.
The junior flashed her skill set as visiting Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK defeated Bellmore JFK, 25-13, 15-19, 25-20, in Nassau II girls volleyball on Tuesday night. Katz finished with 19 assists, nine digs and five kills and Jayden Axelrod had 14 kills, six assists and six digs.
The Hawks got off to a quick start, earning the first nine points of the first set as Katz operated behind the service line. Katz had four of her five aces during the stretch. POB JFK scored the set's final seven points as Axelrod earned her fourth kill of the set to close it out.
“Building an early lead is important for us,” Axelrod said. “It gets rid of any early worries, so we always want to start like that.”
POB JFK trailed 9-7 in the second set, before scoring nine of the next 10 points, capped off by two aces from Isabella Sallie and a kill from Katz. Sallie finished with eight kills, seven digs and four aces.
“Everyone has their own job to do,” Katz said. “You can’t really control what anyone else does, but we all support each other and that helps us play even better.”
Bellmore JFK managed to keep within striking distance late, as Tristan Montalbano spiked a ball to pull within 20-17. Montalbano had four kills in the set and eight in the match.
Axelrod dominated the set tallying seven kills, including the final two points for POB JFK, as it finished the set on a 5-3 run.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming into this season. We graduated six of our seven starters,” coach Brianne Knight said. “This team doesn’t panic in any moment, they’re never afraid of the next play.”
After earning an appearance in the Class AAA final a season ago, POB JFK (7-0) has played even better up to the midway point of its season.
“I wasn’t on the team last year and there’s a lot of new players,” Axelrod said. “What they did last year still sets a high standard for everyone.”
The Hawks have won all 21 sets they have played and placed distance between themselves and second-place Bellmore JFK (5-2) in Conference II.
“We knew there would be high expectations coming back, because of how we finished last year,” Katz said. “Just because we were there last year, don’t expect that same opportunity to be handed to you.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
