LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Connetquot High School Girls
Volleyball Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2015 New York State
Public High School Athletic Association Class AA Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, The Connetquot High School Girls Volleyball Team captured the
2015 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA
Championship with an impressive victory in straight sets over Pine Bush
on Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens
Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, With this victory, the Connetquot High School Thunderbirds
have won their first New York State volleyball title in school history;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Connetquot Thunderbirds completed an unde-
feated regular season, and won their first Long Island Championship in
Volleyball; they also won their second consecutive Suffolk County Cham-
pionship; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Justin Hertz, and Assistant Coaches Karen
Edwards and Ashley Marchese, skilled and inspirational tutors, respected
for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's undefeated record of 16-0 is a testament to the
hard work of the team members, and to the loyal and enthusiastic support
of family, fans, friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of Connetquot High School Girls Volleyball
Team, from the opening game of the season to participation in the cham-
pionship, were a sisterhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship,
of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are
second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach Justin Hertz has done a superb job in guiding, molding
and inspiring the team members toward their goals, and was recently
named NEWSDAY'S Long Island Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach Justin Hertz and these outstanding athletes
have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Connetquot High School Girls Volleyball Team; its
members: Lauren Ballinger, Daniella Balsano, Cory Carrara, Mackenzie
Cole, Taylor Cole, Gianna DeRusso, Taylor Konzen, Sophia Martin, Sarah
McKeveny, Nicole Migliozzi, Cassandra Patsos, Skyla Schoppmeyer, Ashley
Spencer, Mackenzie Taylor, Katie Von Kampen and Diana Migliozzi; Coach
Justin Hertz; and Assistant Coaches Karen Edwards and Ashley Marchese,
on their outstanding season and overall team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the Connetquot High School Girls Volleyball

Team, Coach Justin Hertz, and Assistant Coaches Karen Edwards and Ashley
Marchese.