By doug mckenzie
Staff Writer
East Brunswick’s Mike Rakwoski blocks a shot during the Bears’ win over St. Joseph’s.
East Brunswick boys’ volleyball coach Greg Rutz isn’t afraid to say that his team is the best in the state.
He’s also not afraid to say that he is confident his team will prove him right over the next week and win its fourth state title in the last seven years.
"I think with the skill level that we have, and a few key players with real desire and pride, I think we’re going to get the job done," Rutz said.
The Bears achieved their first goal last week when they won the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, defeating St. Joseph’s of Metuchen, 15-8, 15-12. It was the second consecutive time the Bears beat St. Joseph’s after dropping the opening match against them earlier this year.
PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT East Brunswick’s Tony Yates reacts after saving a point during the Bears’ game with St. Joseph’s May 21.
In that conference final, the Bears played arguably their best volleyball of the year, which doesn’t bode well for the remaining teams in the state tournament.
"The entire team, every varsity player, served exceptionally, and overall we played at our highest level," Rutz said. "Mike McAndrew played very well and showed the kind of leadership potential I saw in him. He’s not a big talker, he just tells you what’s gotta get done and expects you to do it.
"Greg Hunter played unbelievable defense," the coach added. "The head coach from West Windsor South [Mike Adams] was at the match [his wife teaches at East Brunswick], and he came up to me after the match and said there were three or four digs that Greg had no business getting to, he was that phenomenal.
"And Tony Yates and Kyle Morales each played well-focused offense. Tony had 22 kills with only two errors. His hitting percentage was over 600 percent. He has really matured as an athlete and a person, and it really showed in the St. Joe’s game."
East Brunswick’s Greg Hunter digs a serve during the Bears’ GMCT win over St. Joseph’s.
Rutz said that after the Bears took the first game 15-8, they came out a little slow in the second game, before turning it on.
"We were playing not to lose, and you’ve got to play to win," he said. "But Tony made a couple of great plays and that got us fired up."
His team’s ability to overcome that start proved what Rutz already knew.
"Anybody can lose on any given day," he said. "But when we play to our potential, other teams will have a difficult time beating us."
East Brunswick’s Mike Rakowski celebrates with his teammates after the Bears defeated St. Joseph’s in the GMC Tournament finals on May 21.
On Wednesday, the Bears topped Washington Township, 15-11, 15-9, to advance to the Round of 16 in the state tournament. They will play Cherry Hill East today, a 15-10, 15-12 winner over West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Wednesday.
The Bears, who were led on Wednesday by Marc Mondry’s 16 service points and Morales’ nine kills, improved to 26-2 on the year.
East Brunswick may not be the top seed (they’re seeded third behind St. Joe’s and Clifton), but they are certainly the favorite the rest of the way.
"We played a little shaky [Wednesday], but I think we’ll be better the rest of the way," Rutz said. "This is the most difficult portion of the season. You’ve spent 10-11 weeks getting ready for it, but you’ve also spent 10-11 weeks playing volleyball. It’s easy to lose focus with all the distractions, but if you can keep that constant focus, that’s what makes or breaks champions."
The state tournament semifinals are set for June 4 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the finals set for June 6 at 7 p.m. Both the semis and the finals will be played at South Brunswick High School, since the usual venue, Rutgers Athletic Center, is getting a new floor.