Rare air

Vikings ranked in state’s Top 10 for the first time in program history

By: Ken Weingartner
   Just six matches into the season, the South Brunswick High boys volleyball team has already equaled its win total of a year ago.
   More impressively, the Vikings have found themselves in a place never before reached – the state’s Top 10.
   South Brunswick entered the week rated No. 9 in New Jersey, the highest-ever ranking in the four-year history of the program. The Vikings lost 25-23, 25-15 Monday to No. 2 St. Joe’s to fall to 4-2, but their only other setback was to No. 1 East Brunswick.
   "It’s all new ground for us, but I think my guys have the potential to be there," Vikings coach Steve Dentler said. "My guys see improvement in their game, and other people see they’re good, too, which is nice."
   The Vikings went 4-16 last season with a young team. This year, they served notice they would be a force to be reckoned with by losing in three games to East Brunswick in their opener, then beating No. 14 J.P. Stevens.
   Last week, South Brunswick struggled at times, but still won in three games over Hillsborough and Piscataway before winning in two games over Plainfield.
   "It was a very bizarre week," Dentler said. "This year has been a bit of a roller coaster, but we’re still winning and are in every match even though we’re not necessarily playing our best volleyball. Everything can be improved on, and it’s nice because the guys know when things are good and when things aren’t good.
   "When we get to the end of the season, hopefully, we’ll be hitting on all cylinders."
   Part of South Brunswick’s inconsistent play could be attributed to the schedule. The Vikings played matches four consecutive days, leaving no time to practice or prepare for upcoming foes.
   "It was just very quirky timing for us," Dentler said. "How can you correct anything in practice when there aren’t any?"
   South Brunswick was scheduled to play Edison yesterday, then faces a tough stretch over the next 10 days. The Vikings play Old Bridge, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, East Brunswick and Stevens – all teams ranked in the state’s Top 20.
   Against St. Joe’s, Steve Smoke had 11 digs and Zach Nieman had eight. Ricky Duran had five kills and five blocks while Andrew Salim had five kills and two blocks.
   In the victory over Plainfield, Wei Hou had five digs and four kills while Jose Camacho had five digs, three aces and two kills. Greg Kilbride had 14 kills and 19 kills against Piscataway and Hillsborough, respectively, while Dan Latinsky had 12 blocks in both matches. Kevin Mariano had 21 assists against Hillsborough and Conor Monaghan had five kills and four digs.
   One of the keys to South Brunswick’s improved play has come on defense.
   "Zach Nieman has been instrumental in keeping plays alive," Dentler said. "He’s an underrated piece to our machine. A lot of his plays happen so fast, I think people miss them. We’ve been able to salvage plays out of nothing. Our defensive players are doing a good job of keeping things going. They’re making plays we’ve never made here before."
   And it’s led to places the Vikings have never been, either.