After achieving its first goal of the season – winning the league title – Rye volleyball’s focus is now devoted to making a run in the playoffs.
The second-seeded Garnets kicked off the postseason Wednesday, sweeping Brewster at home for the second time this year. The team improved with every set of the 25-16, 25-14, 25-10 first-round win.
“We got off to a slow start today,” said Rye coach Geri Jones. “Once we started playing together and communicating, we played as a team and the game changed in our favor.”
Continuing their season-long practice of shaking up the lineup, new and old faces contributed to the box score for the playoff opener — most notably Elena Lin (eight aces, six digs), who was called up from junior varsity just last week at the conclusion of its season.
Jones noted that Lin has “melded with the team” thus far and “played well today, going on a serving streak in both sets two and three.”
As usual, junior setter Amelie Modesto successfully directed the offense up front, adding 25 assists, three kills, and four digs against Brewster.
“Our front row hit well with Amelie working all three positions,” Jones said. “We ran hitting from all positions, including from the back row with Emma Lunstead and Elena hitting.”
The team also got big contributions from senior veterans Valeria Medina (10 kills) and Phoebe Greto (eight), as well as newbie Audre Campbell (six).
Rye will have home-court advantage again in Saturday’s section quarterfinals, hosting No. 7 Walter Panas at 2 p.m.
