Sports
2010 Preview: Sachem North Boys Volleyball
League champs look to compete with new-look team, league format.
Last year's league champions, the Sachem North boys varsity volleyball team is looking to have another post-season run. After losing to Ward Melville in the Division I quarterfinals, and enduring a league format change, the Flaming Arrows are hoping 2010 brings them a new set of challenges they can adapt to quickly.
Head coach: Matt Rivera (4th year)
'09 Record: 13-5
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'09 Playoffs: Lost to Ward Melville, 3-0, in Division I quarterfinals
Key losses: LIB Phil Schaefer, OH Chris Griffith, SET Tom Kelly, MB Andy Moran, MB Nick Horn
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Top players: Sr. OH Rich Lupo, Sr. OH Alec Sole, Jr. SET Chris Haun, Jr. MB Matt Cahill, Sr. RS J.T. Kirk
Expectations: "I was a bit hesitant coming into the year, but after seeing this group, my expectations are high," Rivera said. "This is a team that can come together. They're hungry to win. We're going to compete with every team in our league."
Key matches: vs. Ward Melville, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.; at Lindenhurst, Oct. 9, 3:45 p.m; at Connetquot, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
News & Notes: Aside from graduation, the most significant change is to the scheduling format. Instead of having a 23-team division the teams will be splitting into three divisions, with North joining East, Ward Melville, Half Hollow Hills, Connetquot, Commack and Lindenhurst. … What will be in play this year is a boys Long Island championship as well as a true state championship, as has been seen on the girls side for years … With 10 seniors graduating from the 2009 league championship team, the Arrows are light on varsity experience, but they draw from a JV team that went 13-1 last year … Sole, better known for his exploits on the baseball diamond, is primed to have a breakout year on the volleyball court too. Of his senior outside hitter, Rivera said "He has the potential to be the best player in Suffolk County. He's that athletic." … Haun was brought up from the JV for the Arrows' playoff run and Rivera expects that exposure will prove invaluable this fall. … With 11 juniors on this year's squad, Lupo not only must send the ball to the floor from his outside hitter position but also set the tone.
