Week 1 Games & Tourney

Pictures from the Lindenhurst Tournament 9/17/11.




As always, some pics were taken while relaxing between games.


Eric's Oreo TIE Fighter.






Oh my gosh, where to start...
OK, first of all, our game against North was a nightmare. That's all it was...just a bad dream. I CAN NOT believe we lost that match. It never happened. That's what I said to my team and that's how we have to think about it. Like I say to everyone, in the games we won, we beat them by SO much more than they beat us! Get this. The scores were: 24-26, 25-12, 19-25, 25-11, 23-25.
So...if you add up the points, we won! Grrrrr. That was the first game of the season. A nail-biter for no apparent reason, but that's my team - we just have to make it interesting.

Game 2 was great - also interesting, but Suffern is a tough team to beat. I was just glad we won.
WE WON!!!!! Holy cow. MSGVarsity was there and we got some great tv time, so I heard. Eric's name was displayed in very large font in the newspaper, and all is well again with South Boys Volleyball. However, we cannot rest on the laurels of one big win. We were down 2 games at the start. That's not a good sign. What IS a good sign is that we were able to fight back and win the next 3 games in a row to win the match 3 games to 2. What I still want to see (and I've been waiting a few years to see it) is fighting from the beginning, right up to the end. All of the other Section I teams are beatable this year. We cannot sleep on the court. We cannot give up, even for one point. We cannot think about our mistakes. A word of advice for my boys, and I know they have heard me say this before and they will surely hear me say it again: The best volleyball players in the world make mistakes - a lot of them, but what makes them the best is that they are able to shake off their mistakes right away because they know they have to focus on the next point.

"Pressure is something you put on yourself." A really awesome coach told me that.

Sighhhh...oh, Lindenhurst.
Every memory of this tournament now plagues me since the first year we went. In 2009, I asked a college coach to come and scout John Mapelli. That day, we were asleep on the court. In 2010, we slept through pool play and moved on to play a one-game playoff match against Sachem East. My boys played the best game of their lives. We gave up very few points, and still lost...by those few points. This year, we show up as zombies (again) and play decently in the playoff match (against Sachem East again), but lose and go home looking forward to a game with East Ramapo. What is the world coming to? We are such a good team this year, I swear. I feel like I have to convince my own team of it!

Boys -
Have confidence. You're really good. I'm NOT just saying that. I've already gotten a lot of compliments on you guys. And I'm proud of you. We need to work some things out in practice, but it won't happen without the confidence to do it. You win games when you know you can. So, know it! I believe in you. See you tomorrow. :-)

New Year, New Team, More Hope

The team this year shows a lot of potential. A LOT! First of all, the team is mostly seniors and sophomores, which I think is very interesting. I have 2 juniors and 1 freshman amongst them. Some of the boys who have been with me for a while are playing well, and still steadily improving. I feel bad for Brian. He is playing a position that is kind of new to him and there is a lot of pressure in that position. I would know. He's a setter, like me. At least I have usually been a setter. That's something I will try to get back to this year. Anyway, I think everyone has a spot on this team. I had 18 guys try out and I didn't have to make any cuts, thank goodness! I have 2 sophomores who I am particularly excited about seeing how they will improve. They can jump and hit, set, jump serve, they can pass pretty well and they take direction very well. That's what is helping them the most. When I tell them to do something, they really try to do it and usually get it done pretty well. I feel so lucky to have had two boys like them try out at the same time. I feel like this program is building. Slowly but surely. I am getting a few better athletes trying out each year and they make me a better coach. They inspire me and (I think) I inspire them, or at least they ARE taking direction well and want to do well because they're competitive. Bottom line - I'm excited. Time to tell people to come and watch our games. We need more fans this year!!!

End of School Year 2010-11

It has been an exciting year! I had the opportunity to see more of a few of my boys and cheer them on during lacrosse games at South because I video taped some of the games for the coach. I'm so proud of my boys. They are really nice guys and I'll miss them all. Our senior awards banquet (now a buffet brunch due to budget cuts) went very well. It was nice, but I felt it lost the personal touch this year since coaches did not get up to speak about their athletes. I know that some coaches don't like to speak in front of larger crowds, but I liked doing that because it's more personal for the kids and it brings a better sense of recognition for their achievements. Also, the event was much smaller this year. I remember there being many more coaches in attendance last year. There were also no board members this year, which is fine. I also liked that the brunch was just seniors.

Anyway, I think it's important to recognize our senior leaders as they move on to bigger and better things. I'm sad I didn't get a picture with Eddie, but he was kind enough to inform me that, "it's not like [I] won't see [him] again". Thank you, Eddie, for letting me know. You crack me up. I'm also a little sad that Harry wasn't there. The four of you were the backbone of the team this year, and you will all be sorely missed! I just wish that I had more years with you guys on the team (and that Harry didn't have to play middle) as you are all great players and fun to coach. It was a blast seeing you guys accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. I'm so happy for you guys that you got so much media coverage this year and that you all found a sport you love to play. I'm super excited for the future of this program and I wanted to thank you for raising the bar for next year. So far, this program has gotten better in every year of its short existence, and that is due to your hard work, dedication, and love for this team and for the sport. Keep in touch. Come back and visit. You are always welcome.

The following are the senior profiles, as they appeared in the awards brunch program:

Chris Ferrara - Setter - Chris shared captainship and was one of the team's leaders. Chris was the setter and currently holds some school records, including assists and aces. His season total in assists was 332, far outnumbering last year's record of 124. Chris shares the aces statistic record with Maxx Baldassare, who graduated in 2010, with 18 for the season. He was also third in digs with 55. Matt was named All League Honorable Mention.

Eddie Oswald - Right Side/Outside Hitter. Eddie picked up his game this year and earned much respect from his teammates at the end of the season. Ed holds the school record for kills (hits that result in a point) with 157, which shattered the previous record of 70. Eddie was also second on the team in aces (11) and digs (70), and third in blocks (8). Eddie is being recruited by Kean, Elmira, College of Mount Saint Vincent, New Paltz, New Haven, Ramapo College and Sage, among others. Eddie was named All Section and All League.

Harry Adler - Middle Hitter - Harry has done a great job as a middle hitter and has taken on the role with maturity, considering it was not his best position or his position of choice, but it was where he was needed. Harry finished the season with 3 aces, 1 assist, 21 kills, 11 blocks, and 15 digs.

Matt Barry - Libero - Matt stepped into the libero position without much difficulty. His agility and quick reflexes helped him to lead the team's defense. Matt obliterated the statistic record in digs from last year of 48 with an amazing 140 digs. The highlight of his season came in our 6th match against Clarkstown North, where Matt nearly doubled his number of digs for the season in that one match. He went into the game with 40 digs and ended it with 74. Matt was named All League.

Jenrik Yabut - Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter - Jenrik was a hard worker during the 2010 season and proved his skills in the back row with his speed and agility. He finished the season with 1 ace, 1 assist, 9 kills, 1 block, and 9 digs.

Facundo Soraire - Middle Hitter - Facundo helped the team this year by always being willing to work hard and step up when he was needed. He was always willing to jump into different roles and play different positions and for that, he will be missed. Facundo has the ability to watch and learn from what he sees, and be able to replicate skills on his own, which sets him apart from other athletes.

Ryan Ventillo - Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter - Ryan came onto the team with such enthusiasm. He picked up the team at times and was instrumental in keeping the team's morale high. His speed in the back row was just one of the things that made Ryan an important part of this team.

Oliver Friedfeld - Right Side/Middle Hitter - Oliver was able to play many positions and offer the team a set of skills that included both physical volleyball skills and leadership qualities. His maturity and strong work ethic made him a positive teammate to the other athletes and a much appreciated part of the team. Oliver is the hard worker that coaches like to have on their teams.

Tom Holahan - Outside Hitter - Tom came into the Fall season with little volleyball experience, but it was obvious that he was a good athlete. Tom put a lot of effort into learning the sport of volleyball and it showed. He also brought positive thinking to the team and his charisma never went unnoticed.

Anthony Pecoraro - Middle Hitter - Anthony had such a positive attitude. He showed up every day ready to go and willing to work. He is someone who coaches refer to as "coachable" with a great attitude and willingness to learn and work. Anthony has been a positive role model for his younger teammates.

LONG Overdue Blog Post!

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long! My job takes so much energy out of me sometimes, and the clubs (boys' teams and my own) take the rest of my energy. So, this year was definitely an improvement on the last. No coach can be disappointed in that. We had some great wins and some awesome media coverage! So much has happened since the last time I wrote anything. Let's see, my boys proved that they play better without me - when I'm stuck at a train station (thanks guys!), we beat North HS in a great section semifinal match. We played Suffern AT SUFFERN for the section final. Total crap. It was supposed to be at a neutral location! We lost, but we played fairly well and we all graciously accepted our silver medals. Eddie was named All Section and All League, and is being recruited by quite a few schools! Eric, Matt, and Chris also won section and/or league honors. I will definitely be looking forward to our awards banquet this year and talk more about Eddie and Matt. More on that when the time comes. I'm also really happy because this year seemed to go by without any major problems...ok except for a vengeful parent who came to the gym to video tape our practice. That was just bizarre, though. Anyway, my point is...I guess I'll miss you guys. OK, OK...I will miss you guys! Seniors, enjoy the rest of your last year. And this year, the Katchmar Classic better be won by a team with a volleyball player! I don't know what that nonsense was last year.

I also want to recognize my freshmen for having a good sense of humor. You boys really took a lot of crap from the older guys, but you did it with some dignity. I'm really looking forward to working with you again. And no, you are not average joes! :-)

Alex, I'm really proud of you. You set some good goals and told me what you wanted to accomplish and I watched you actually do it. Your skills are more consistent now and your setting has come a long, long way. I knew you could do it! James, get aggressive, keep the high energy, and don't worry about anything else. Everything will fall into place for both of you guys.

On another note, the club season has come and gone so quickly this year. I feel like we just started not too long ago. Getting less gym time to practice will make me feel like that, I guess. I'm unsure as to whether we can have the RU club next year, especially if we cannot get guaranteed gym time. I want to thank everybody for sticking by me through that, though! I know it was tough and right in the middle of the season. We were all angry about it and I want to thank you for being such troopers and handling it so well. I'll see what I can do about next year. I'm always advocating for you guys. :o)

We lost the girls' teams this year, and we lost Coach Hackett because she is doing her graduate work now and the class time conflicts with volleyball time. I miss all of you ladies! I hope you kick some butt at Katchmar, too. Even if you're playing some vb boys. As a matter of fact, go for it! Feel free.

I hope everyone has a lovely spring, and seniors get into the schools they like. By the way, big congrats to Oliver Friedfeld! He got into Yale and UPenn. Awesome!

Link: We miss you, CK. 1 year.

-Coach