Ward Melville Girls' Volleyball Still Unbeaten

With a win in three sets over Longwood on Tuesday, 25-9, 25-11, 25-12, the Ward Melville girls' volleyball team improved to 8-0 this season. The team has already beaten some of its perennial rivals, including Lindenhurst. And last week, the team won the coaching staff its 300th career win.

Safe to say someone's having a good season so far.

"We are a balanced offense. I think it's why we are able to compete at the next level," head coach Charlie Fernandes said on Tuesday. "Our defense has settled in. It's all falling into place now. We're playing good volleyball at the right time of the year."

Against Longwood on Tuesday, Emily Astarita landed 18 kills, Kellie Rizzo had 18 assists, and Amanda Digirolamo had 3 kills and 10 digs for the Patriots. The team celebrated its Dig Pink fundraiser, raising money for breast cancer awareness at the game by selling t-shirts and baked goodies. Up next: Ward Melville visits Sachem East on Thursday, and Commack visits Ward Melville on Monday.

And not too far off the horizon: the county playoffs. Ward Melville missed the county final last year after getting eliminated in the semifinals by Lindenhurst – the first time in recent memory they fell short of a finals appearance.

"Maybe that left a little mark behind on these kids, because they are warriors," Fernandes said.