Schools
Wantagh Girls Volleyball Standout Leading By Example
Jenny Ilibassi enjoying senior season with Warrior teammates who are off to 12-0 start.
Jenny Ilibassi is not your typical all-everything high school athlete.
Yes the Wantagh athlete plays volleyball year round and has been declared All- Conference, All-Long Island and All-New York State and New York State Championship All Tourney. Yes, she’s captain of her team this year and was named New York State Championship All Tourney last fall.
But no, she’s not playing like her future college career depended on it.
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Instead, the National Honor society student is playing as if her heart depends on it. “I play this game because I love to play,” said Ilibassi. “I’ve always been lucky enough to play with some of my best friends, and it’s just in my nature to want to the best in everything I do.”
The formula is working.
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As the 2011 regular season winds down, Ilibassi’s team is once again undefeated. Ilibassi though not particularly large for a volleyball player, is making waves. She covers the position of outside hitter with a level of energy and intensity that is rare among high school athletes, and a pleasure to watch.
“Jenny is a true team player,” said Wantagh girls volleyball coach Kate McKeefrey. “She’s always out there to help her team rise to its full potential. She keeps the energy high and at the same time helps her teammates keep their cool.”
One aspect helping Wantagh’s success is team chemistry. “You have to work with your teammates and get along with everyone and I’m definitely, friends with every person on the team,” said Ilibassi “ It makes it more fun, and makes for a better team.”
Ilibassi started playing volleyball at the CYO in fifth grade. “My older sister played so I was at every practice,” she recalls.
When her Wantagh career ends Ilibassi is hoping to play club volleyball at the college level. But whether Ilibassi plays college volleyball or not, she figures she’s already gotten something enduring out of the sport.
“I’ve learned so many things,“ she says. “Time management, with school work. Determination and work ethic. Volleyball has taught me that, if I’m facing a problem in life, I can do something about it. Why not -- I can do it here on the court.”
