Shakeups In Hampton Bays: New, Old Coaches; Some Teams Cancel Seasons

The athletic landscape is changing in Hampton Bays this fall season, with new and familiar faces returning to lead teams, and some sports squads having to cancel competing altogether.

Gone this season are the Baymen football and field hockey teams, due to the declining number of participants, but remaining at the head of his program is girls volleyball coach Andy Fotopoulos.

The coach said he feels confident in his team, especially the six returners.

Retaking the court are senior setter and All-League captain Brianna Quiros; junior outside hitter Tania Quiros, Brianna’s younger sister; senior outside hitter Lillian “Lilly” Patek; senior defensive specialist Sophia Corredor; junior middle blocker Nellie Nicolova; and sophomore middle blocker Asha Pensa-Johnson.

“Brianna is someone the team will lean on for her leadership and experience,” Fotopoulos said of the four-year varsity player. “And her sister, Tania, was voted League V Rookie of the Year last year, and should be one of the team’s offensive and defensive leaders.”

He said Patek should also play a major role on the offensive end, Corredor’s passing and digging ability should help lead the defense, Nicolova’s quickness and jumping ability should aid her in dominating net play against taller opponents and Pensa-Johnson should control the net with her blocking and spiking abilities.

Up from the junior varsity team are junior defensive specialists Alexandra “Alex” Flores and Yadith Paredes, junior setter Gianna Betta and junior libero Mia Schoerlin.

“These girls have been working hard in the offseason, attending open gyms, camps, clinics and playing club volleyball,” the coach said. “They have been playing together for five or six years now and should be able to make a playoff run.”

Fotopoulos said the team’s ability to serve, tough, will have opponents on their heels. A balanced attack will also be a strength, as the other teams will not be able to focus on just one or two players.

Returning to coach the girls soccer team is Andrew Seabury, who led the Hampton Bays girls soccer team for three seasons before stepping down for Keegan Bishop last year. He was asked to retake the reins this season, and the Long Island Junior Soccer League president said he was more than happy to, and is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season.

“We’ve had a strong program, but last year wasn’t a great year,” Seabury said of the squad that went 1-12. “We don’t have a huge number of upperclassmen, but there’s a core group returning, and I’m trying to reintroduce a philosophy to the program so we can all be on the same path together from junior varsity up through varsity.”

Back on the team are seniors Arlette Amador Flores, Mia Camey and Stephanie Caal.

Flores, who runs the midfield, was named team captain.

“She’s hugely talented and will be a key member,” Seabury said. “Mia is a dynamic, strong forward and Stephanie is a tireless defender.”

The coach has previously worked with all girls, along with junior Perla Joya Mendez, who make up the core group.

“Perla is a fast, strong attacking midfield,” Seabury said. “We’re still working on building the team chemistry right now, but the girls are focused on that team mentality to outwork the opposition.”

There are six seniors and eight juniors on this year’s roster.

“We’re giving the girls experience, and if we continue to invest time in the offseason, we can get the program back on the right path,” the coach said.

Newcomers to be on the lookout for, Seabury said, will be freshmen Nicole Bedoya and Brianna Farrell, and sophomore Esther Lopez Cornejo.

Seabury is singing high praises of all three, especially Bedoya, already.

“Nicole looks really talented. She’ll definitely get some time,” he said of the forward. “She’s played a lot of soccer. She’s got a natural, innate ability, and she knows the game. She’s one of the best players I’ve seen come through for a while.

“Esther is a great talent, she’s going to be a star and is a fantastic midfielder — has a great soccer brain,” the coach continued. “And Brianna is an outstanding prospect in goal.”

But he’s unsure about the new geography-based schedule that will be in place the next two seasons. It pits Hampton Bays against local teams like Southampton, East Hampton and state championship-winning Shoreham-Wading River.

“We like the local rivalries, but we want to build a program where girls want to come back, so, to get shellacked 8-0, 9-0, it doesn’t do anything positive for us,” Seabury said. “We should be playing teams we’re on par with, like Smithtown Christian, Wyandanch and Amityville. You feel like you’re moving the program and the girls feel like they see a light at the end of the tunnel. There’s hope for the program, but we have to make it a positive experience, or they won’t come back.”

“But, there’s tons of enthusiasm,” he added. “The relationship we have is a good one, and we’re looking forward to getting out there. We’re working hard, and we’re going to give it our best shot.”

New to the tennis coaching realm is Theresa Carey, a 20-year physical education teacher in the district, who previously coached the varsity girls basketball team and many youth sports.

Familiar faces on the courts will be junior Sarah Ren and sophomore Svetlana Datsyuk, while first-year players include senior Yammileth “Yammi” Veliz, juniors Iris Fernandez and Natalie Moranchel, sophomore Meghan Peterson and freshmen Mariana Aquero, Melody Arabejo, Sky Clemente, Sara Daniela Rengifo Diaz, Sarah Herrera, Kiara Macias, Nataly Pineda and Ashlie Quezada.

“We are in the process of working out our singles and doubles lineups and are having fun while practicing and improving every day,” Carey said. “I’m looking to my senior and juniors to provide leadership to the team. Their maturity and the way they conduct themselves make them excellent role models for the younger players.”

Ren and Datsyuk, the coach said, bring varsity match experience, while Veliz, Moranchal and Arabejo played middle school tennis.

The coach said she has one main message she’s trying to drive home to her student-athletes this season.

“I want the girls to be their best on and off the court while enjoying team camaraderie and the lifetime sport of tennis,” Carey said. “I think it is important for students to play sports for all the life skills they teach you, like working toward common goals, time management, handling pressure, overcoming adversity, communication and better self-esteem.”

Check back next week for a preview of Hampton Bays’ boys soccer, boys golf and boys and girls cross country teams.