Bayport-Blue Point Gets Its Long Island Championship Redemption

The Bayport-Blue Point girls volleyball team knows what it feels like to come up just short. This year, however, the Phantoms made sure the ending was different.

After battling Wheatley through five grueling sets in last year's Long Island Championship before falling just two points short, Bayport-Blue Point returned with a little unfinished business. On Wednesday at Nassau Community College, the Phantoms completed the job, earning a 3-1 victory over Wheatley to capture the Long Island Class B championship.

Kelsey Morrison delivered the match point to seal the title for Bayport-Blue Point (14-2), which now advances to the state regional final. The Phantoms will face either Mount Academy of Section IX or Blind Brook of Section I at 2 p.m. Saturday at Port Jefferson. Wheatley finished its season with a 17-2 record.

Bayport-Blue Point came out strong, taking the first two sets by identical 25-18 scores. Wheatley responded with a 25-22 win in the third, but the Phantoms regrouped and closed out the championship with a convincing 25-16 fourth-set victory.

Senior Shayleigh Robson, who stands 6 feet tall, led the Phantoms with 11 kills and four blocks. She said last year's championship defeat remained in the team's minds and provided extra motivation heading into this year's matchup.

Morrison paced the offense with 25 assists while adding six kills and three aces. Olivia Colombo also delivered a strong performance, finishing with nine kills and 14 digs. Colombo credited the team's steady, one-point-at-a-time approach for helping the Phantoms stay composed throughout the match.

First-year head coach Angelina Scichilone said the championship was a testament to her team's perseverance. Suffolk County Legislature Anthony Piccirillo recognized the team saying "Congratulation to the Bayport-Bluepoint girls varsity field hockey team on winning the LIC!"

After coming so close a year ago, the Phantoms finally have their Long Island crown. Now, with a state regional final on the horizon, they have another opportunity to keep this memorable season rolling.