East Hampton Advances To ‘A’ Semis

Seniors propelled No. 3 East Hampton into the Suffolk County Class A semifinals.

Outside hitter Mikela Junemann’s 10 kills, three digs, and one ace; libero and outside hitter Zoe Leach’s nine kills and 11 digs; and setter Molly Mamay’s 28 assists, 11 digs, and four aces led the Bonackers (11-3 overall, 8-2 in League VI) to a 3-1 win over No. 6 Half Hollow Hills West (6-5 in League V) October 30.

East Hampton lost the first set 25-17, but adjusted quickly to handily take the next three 25-13, 25-14, and 25-17.

Junior outside hitter and defensive setter Hannah Hartsough finished with 14 digs, six kills, and two aces, and sophomore setter and right side Brooke Wittmer had 10 digs and an ace. Sophomore right side Faith Fenelon added four kills.

No. 4 Westhampton (14-4 overall, 6-4 in League VI) also topped No. 5 Islip (8-6 overall, 8-2 in League V) 3-1 to earn a semifinal berth.

Senior outside hitter Ava Koszalka had 10 kills and eight digs; senior middle blocker Michelle Kryl finished with eight kills, three blocks, and two aces; and sophomore middle and outside hitter Emmie Koszalka, Ava’s younger sister, had seven kills and two blocks in the 26-24, 18-25, 25-12, 25-20 win.

Senior libero Belle Smith finished with 33 digs and two aces, junior libero Emma Citarelli had 16, senior setter Lindsay Andreopoulos 10, and Emmie Koszalka seven. Junior setter Olivia Jayne added seven digs to go along with 25 assists. Junior middle blocker Ella Doneson had two blocks.

The Hurricanes are taking a different path to the finals this year than in seasons past. For the last five years, Westhampton has faced No. 1 Kings Park (12-0 overall, 10-0 in League VI) in the county finals. This time, the Hurricanes were pitted against their rival, who has shut them out in all but last year’s championship game, in the semifinal November 5. Results were not available by press time. The Bonackers, trying to get back to the county final for the first time since 2010, faced No. 2 Hauppauge (11-3 overall, 9-1 in League V) November 5. The winners of both matchups will play for the Class A county title November 11 at Newfield High School at 2 PM.

Westhampton lost to Kings Park 3-2 October 11 and 3-0 September 13. East Hampton was swept in both meetings against the Kingsmen September 4 and 27. The Bonackers did not face Hauppauge in the regular season, but Westhampton topped the Eagles 3-1 September 11. East Hampton won both matches against East Hampton, 3-2 September 23 and 3-1 October 21.

desiree@indyeastend.com