Shannon Nassi
Staff Writer '18
Volleyball at Great Neck North this past season has progressed. The levels of intensity has grown astronomically for both the Boys and Girls teams; the bonds between the players has grown stronger, and the coach of boys’ volleyball has experienced a new feat in his career, after a rough start to the new year. The team began with a losing streak, but with the right coaching and with helpful words of advice, Mangin stated, “the team peaked at the right time.” He told his team that it is never too late to fight back, and that is exactly what the team did. The team ended the season strongly with an finishing record of 6 wins and 13 losses, beating rivals Mepham and Calhoun in the last two weeks of the regular season. The Blazers finished at the fifth seed in the B-1 conference, ultimately advancing to the playoffs. Ultimately, the support of captains Seena Talasazan, Oliver Hajibay, and Andrew Kamali, forcefully led the team to victory.
One of the team’s secret asset appears to be the sophomore prodigy, Timmy Lee: the youngster is known to have “transformed the back row.” The first round of playoffs against Clarke High School, North pulled their winning streak to round two, where they beat Mepham High School. This victory was historical, for it was the first time Coach Mangin made it to the semifinals throughout his coaching career! However, all victories, losses, and histories aside, Nathaniel Neman stated that volleyball has greatly impacted him as both an athlete and a friend to others. “We started out as teammates but we ended the season as a family,” were his last words to wrap up the eventful season.
Girls’ volleyball had an aspiring season, with a final record of 4 wins and 11 losses. Although the season ended in more losses than wins, the score did not define the progress of the team. In their competitive conference, North High’s girls’ volleyball team only missed making playoffs by one game. Despite the year’s finishing scores, Michelle Nazar has full confidence in her team in that with the right training, the team should surely advance to the playoffs next year. The girls had a blast this season; strong bonds were formed between teammates that allowed for a stronger team connection, which was advantageous on the court. Captains Camryn Lessing, Caroline O’Bourne, and Leanne Hope, have left behind a legacy to the rising sophomores and juniors, who leave nothing to imagination how next year should end. They stated, “It will definitely not be the same without them next year, however I am confident that next year’s juniors will be able to fill in their shoes.” Though the girls had not advanced this season, they did learn an important message: teamwork trumps all.
Staff Writer '18
Volleyball at Great Neck North this past season has progressed. The levels of intensity has grown astronomically for both the Boys and Girls teams; the bonds between the players has grown stronger, and the coach of boys’ volleyball has experienced a new feat in his career, after a rough start to the new year. The team began with a losing streak, but with the right coaching and with helpful words of advice, Mangin stated, “the team peaked at the right time.” He told his team that it is never too late to fight back, and that is exactly what the team did. The team ended the season strongly with an finishing record of 6 wins and 13 losses, beating rivals Mepham and Calhoun in the last two weeks of the regular season. The Blazers finished at the fifth seed in the B-1 conference, ultimately advancing to the playoffs. Ultimately, the support of captains Seena Talasazan, Oliver Hajibay, and Andrew Kamali, forcefully led the team to victory.
One of the team’s secret asset appears to be the sophomore prodigy, Timmy Lee: the youngster is known to have “transformed the back row.” The first round of playoffs against Clarke High School, North pulled their winning streak to round two, where they beat Mepham High School. This victory was historical, for it was the first time Coach Mangin made it to the semifinals throughout his coaching career! However, all victories, losses, and histories aside, Nathaniel Neman stated that volleyball has greatly impacted him as both an athlete and a friend to others. “We started out as teammates but we ended the season as a family,” were his last words to wrap up the eventful season.
Girls’ volleyball had an aspiring season, with a final record of 4 wins and 11 losses. Although the season ended in more losses than wins, the score did not define the progress of the team. In their competitive conference, North High’s girls’ volleyball team only missed making playoffs by one game. Despite the year’s finishing scores, Michelle Nazar has full confidence in her team in that with the right training, the team should surely advance to the playoffs next year. The girls had a blast this season; strong bonds were formed between teammates that allowed for a stronger team connection, which was advantageous on the court. Captains Camryn Lessing, Caroline O’Bourne, and Leanne Hope, have left behind a legacy to the rising sophomores and juniors, who leave nothing to imagination how next year should end. They stated, “It will definitely not be the same without them next year, however I am confident that next year’s juniors will be able to fill in their shoes.” Though the girls had not advanced this season, they did learn an important message: teamwork trumps all.