By: Ken Weingartner
Steve Dentler has a feeling his South Brunswick High boys volleyball team is ready to turn the corner.
There is only one problem.
"I don’t know where it is," Dentler said with a laugh. "But once we find it, we’re going to head off into the sunset. Maybe we should pull over and ask for directions."
The Vikings fell to 6-5 with a disappointing two-game loss Monday at East Brunswick, the state’s No. 2-ranked team. The setback followed a heartbreaking three-game defeat at West Windsor-Plainsboro South, which is ranked 15th in New Jersey.
South Brunswick, which is No. 17 in the state, has only lost to ranked teams. Those squads, including No. 1 St. Joe’s and No. 4 Old Bridge, have gone 27-5 this season.
"The team is a lot better than last year," senior Greg Kilbride said. "People got more experience and everybody has improved. I think we’re definitely a Top 10 team, if we play well. Our passing hasn’t been that good throughout the season. If that picks up, we’ll be a lot stronger.
"If everyone has a good game, if there’s good passing, which means good setting and hitting, we could beat some of the top teams."
South Brunswick nearly knocked off WW-P South, losing 25-22 in the third game. The Vikings lost the match on a point in which they made a good defensive play to dig the ball and keep it alive but the ball nipped part of the ceiling on the opposite side of the net and was ruled dead.
"It would have been a great play in our gym; it wasn’t as good a play there," Dentler said. "It was a crummy way to end a really great match. They caught a break. On any given day that match goes either way. We’re almost there."
Dentler said the Vikings "looked awful" against East Brunswick, but took the loss in stride.
"If you’re going to stink, you might as well stink it up against the best and get it out of your system," he said. "We just have to put that one behind us and move on."
Prior to losing to WW-P South last week, the Vikings beat Watchung Hills, 25-17, 20-25, 25-12. Kilbride had 15 kills and 13 digs. Kevin Mariano had 20 assists and six digs while David Pal had 14 digs.
"Hitting is my favorite part," said Kilbride, who has been called by Dentler the best hitter in the program’s short history. "Jumping up and spiking; scaring someone on the other side is always fun. It took me four years, but it’s finally starting to work."
Kilbride and Andrew Salim are the only two players to be in the volleyball program for all four years of its existence. Last season, the Vikings went 4-16. Two years ago, when Kilbride was on the junior varsity, the Vikings reached the state tournament.
Another trip to the postseason could await South Brunswick. Perhaps it’s just around the corner.
"That’s pretty important," Kilbride said. "I want to get there, make an impact. That would be a great way to go out."
