Sports
2011 Preview: Sachem North Boys Volleyball
Year after an early playoff exit veteran group looking to make noise.
Sachem North boys volleyball returns four starters and is a senior laden team ready to make a run in the county playoffs. Led by setter Chris Haun and middle blocker Matt Cahill, the Flaming Arrows possess a key blend of athleticism to go along with knowledge of the game, something head coach Matt Rivera thinks will bode well for Sachem in 2011.
Head coach: Matt Rivera (5th year)
2010 Record: 8-7 ... Lost to Smithtown East, 3-0 in first round of Suffolk County playoffs.
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Key losses: Sr. OH Rich Lupo, Sr. OH Alec Sole
Top players: Sr. S Chris Haun, Sr. MB Matt Cahill
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Expectations: “This is a team that has high expectations,” Rivera said. “They have the ability, the experience and the talent to win a county championship. They have the experience to win a long island championship and a state championship. We’ll ride this team all the way to the states and that’s where we want to go and where these boys want to go. That’s why they’re working so hard and committed early on.”
Key matches: vs. Lindenhurst, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.; at Lindenhurst, Sept 19, 5:45 p.m; at Half Hollow Hills West, Sept. 23, 5:45 p.m.; vs. Sachem East, Oct. 12, 5:45 p.m.; vs. Half Hollow Hills West, Oct. 26, 5:45 p.m.
The Experience Factor
Rivera stressed one thing about his Sachem North team early in the season – they have the experience to win it all. The Arrows return nine seniors and bring back four players in the starting lineup.
“The theme with us is senior leadership,” Rivera said. This group of seniors went undefeated through middle school, had one loss in JV, they’ve just won, won, won. The leadership has really emerged. They’re taking over and they want to win and that’s why they’re here.”
Two veteran players really stood out in Rivera’s mind. “Chris Haun is the anchor of our team,” he said. “He really gets it done offensively, defensively, he’s our guy. He’s our captain out there and he’s the one that runs everything. He’s a very smart setter, we have lots of different offensive options and that’s because of him.”
Another player Rivera mentioned was middle hitter Matt Cahill, who was all-county last year according to the coach. “He really came up and he’s our number one offensive option but he’s also a great blocker,” he said.
