After shocking many, the New York State Class A Volleyball Champions are back. On November 18, 2018, the Wantagh girls’ varsity volleyball team did exactly what many thought they couldn’t. 

The Warriors went into states with a 15-1 league game record only losing one game to the Southside Cyclones. Coming into the 2019 season as defending NY State Champs, every team is going all out to beat the defending state champs. Although the Warriors graduated 6 starting seniors from last year, the seniors this year are just as determined to go for the repeat. 

Last year, the Wantagh girls’ volleyball team was known for its indescribable bond and family-like energy.

 It is safe to say that this new group of girls are just as close, with 9 returning members of last year’s team. Senior Debbie Boudorious setting offenders such as Victoria Spencer, Emily Vanolinda, Claudia Corbett, Olivia Pugliese and Shannon Sullivan, causes chaos for the opponent on the other side of the net. Let’s not forget about the consistent strong defense from libero Sabrina Locasio.  Also back is head coach Dan O’Shea and assistant coach, Susanne Hoffman.

Many teams are itching at the chance to play Wantagh with a mixture of fear and hope. What team wouldn’t want to say it beat last year’s state champs? Well, fortunately for the Warriors, as of right now, no team can truthfully say they have. Kicking off this season with a 4-0 record, Wantagh is off to a good start. 

Although it is early in the season, the Warriors are looking like quite a threat to the rest of Nassau County. Last November’s Class AA New York State Champions, Long Beach, moved to Class A this season.That puts two defending state champions in one conference—a big concern for the rest of Class A. 

“Biggest challenge is keeping in mind that this is a new team and a new dynamic,” says senior right-side hitter Jenna Loew. “Just because we won states last year doesn’t mean it will be handed to us. We have to work for it just like last year.” 

Victoria Spencer mentions the stress that comes back with being returning state champs. “ We are being held at such a high standard. It is a huge difference from being the underdogs last year,” she said.