5 Photos
Casey Sidor sets Declan Kerns in last year's county final. Sidor is a key returning player this season including being a captain. MICHAEL O'CONNOR
Aaron Kiefer is a key returning player this season. MICHAEL O'CONNOR
Will Jankowski, left, and Ben Donahue go up for a block in last year's county semifinal. Both players are returning this season. MICHAEL O'CONNOR
Alec Kelly is a key returning player this season. MCIHAEL O'CONNOR
Ben Tuttle, left, and Jackie Reed, are reunited once again as coached on the Westhampton Beach boys volleyball team. DREW BUDD
The Westhampton Beach boys volleyball team missed the Suffolk County Division II Championships last season for the first time in four years, falling just short, having lost to Eastport-South Manor in the county semifinals.
Hurricanes head coach Josh Tuttle said missing out on the county championship appearance left a bitter taste, but his players have been working really hard in the offseason and are looking forward to giving it another go this fall. There was good news on multiple fronts to start the season for the ’Canes. For starters, they only graduated one starter in All-County middle blocker Declan Kerns.
Additionally, Jackie Reed has rejoined the team as an assistant coach after having coached the girls team the past few seasons and was on maternity leave last season. Reed helped rebuild the boys program culminating with its first-ever county and Long Island Championships in 2019, and an appearance in the state tournament where it placed third. Tuttle, who was an assistant to Reed that year, said it’s exciting to have her back. Reed said she’s “happy to be home.”
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as the success of a Long Island Championship,” Tuttle said.
Having only lost one starter to graduation, the Hurricanes are welcoming a bunch of starters back this season and will be led by three senior captains in outside hitter Alec Kelly, setter/right side Casey Sidor and setter/right side Seth Terry. Tuttle is also expecting significant contributions from senior middle blocker Ben Donahue, senior outside hitter Will Jankowski and junior libero Aaron Kiefer.
Westhampton Beach will continue to play a full schedule against both Division I and Division II teams this season. With 10 Division II teams this season, five playoff spots are up for grabs and the ’Canes are expected to be right there again with their cross-town rival ESM.
“However, we have to work hard to earn our ticket to the finals,” Tuttle said.
Westhampton Beach opened the season at Smithtown East on Tuesday, and will host Lindenhurst in its home opener Thursday, September 8, at 5:45 p.m., before playing at Patchogue-Medford on Monday at 4 p.m.
Information on the Westhampton Beach girls volleyball team was not provided.
