Going into the 2025 season, Rye volleyball coach Geri Jones already knew she had a special roster. The Garnets’ season opener, a 3-1 win Tuesday against Blind Brook, the defending Class B state champions, exceeded even Jones’ highest expectations.
After winning the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-21, Rye dropped the third 16-25, then made the proper adjustments — especially on defense — to close out the match with a 25-13 win in set four.
“We’ve been saying for years that defense wins championships, and our defense performed beautifully today,” Jones said. “Our offense was good, but the defense won the game for us today, easily.”
To no one’s surprise, senior libero and captain Emma Lunstead led Rye with 23 digs and five aces. She also contributed one kill.
Junior setter Amelie Modesto also started the season off strong with 30 assists, five digs and three kills on the day. Jones will certainly rely on Lunstead and Modesto’s production through the season.
“I know that we have one of the best liberos in the section in Emma Lunstead. She was just outstanding,” Jones said. And Modesto: “Every coach comes up to me and says, ‘Wow, your setter is really good’ … We have a lot of talent.”
Other key contributors to the team’s first win include junior setter Lexi Kessner (7 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks, 3 aces), senior middle and captain Phoebe Greto (9 kills, 2 blocks), and senior middle Olivia Lewis (7 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace, 1 dig).
To help combat Blind Brook’s strong outside hitters, Jones called upon her team’s depth, making frequent substitutions and using players up and down the roster.
Jones expressed how confident she feels about the versatility of her team, noting that going into a game without a set starting lineup is a “good problem to have.”
“We have so many hitters and we changed out hitters today in the middle of sets,” Jones said. “I’ve been coaching since 1999 and there have been very few years where I don’t have two set outsides who play every game, one set right side. This year, I’m very lucky.”
Rye has two more road matchups, Thursday at Mamaroneck and Friday at Port Chester, before hosting Harrison in the home opener Monday. The match will be the debut of the newly renovated floor in Rye High School’s main gym.
