Strong Seasons For The Jets’ Volleyball Teams

EAST MEADOW, NY — The East Meadow High School Jets’ junior varsity and varsity boys volleyball teams are having terrific seasons. Led by 10 seniors — Hayden Adelman, Tony Catalano, Alex Kimak, Peyton Kahl, Joey Kane, Dan Jasmin, Michael Cunningham, Casey Provitera, Shawn Haber and the class of 2022 valedictorian Brandon Wanatick — these student athletes have been amazing both on and off the court.

The junior varsity team is extremely successful under the leadership of sophomore setter Justin Hendler. Sophomore Karl Kraker has been a strong force at the net. Julian Kimak and Joe Lanza are both freshman playing a big role for the junior varsity team thus far carrying the offense.

The teams are competing in conference A-2 and the varsity has locked in a playoff position. The varsity offense is led by Alex Kimak who has an average of 13 kills per game, Hayden Adelman with 28 assists per game and constant support from Sam Parker, Shawn Haber and Dan Jasmin who on average add at least 5 to 8 kills each. The defense starts at the net with Tony Catalano, who also carries the Jets at the service line, and behind him is Libero Brandon Wanatick and Alex Rodriguez who dig about 8 to 10 attacks per game.

The Jets hosted their senior game early in the season when all 10 seniors competed together on their home court, they celebrated their four years of commitment to the program with their family and friends. The junior varsity team joined them to celebrate the leadership of the senior class on Sept. 18 with a themed, five-team tournament. The teams were a mix of varsity and junior varsity led by two seniors. During the week of Sept. 20, both teams wore gold masks and laces in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and decorated gold ribbons on the walls.

On Oct. 19 and Oct. 21, the teams played home games designated as “Pink Out Games” in which the teams and fans wore pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and pink ribbons were also decorated on the walls. Each player selected a teacher or faculty member to honor in an appreciation game at East Meadow High School on Oct. 19.