Vikings look to make big-time jump

By: Ken Weingartner
   Steve Dentler comes into every season believing it is the year his South Brunswick High boys volleyball team will make the jump to the elite level.
   So as the Vikings prepare for the 2007 campaign, this is the year.
   South Brunswick lost just two starters from last season’s 10-12 squad that won a state tournament round for the first time in school history. The Vikings’ overall record is deceptive – seven losses came at the hands of the top three teams in New Jersey: East Brunswick, St. Joe’s and Old Bridge.
   "We’re excited," Dentler said. "The guys look pretty good so far. I think the guys know this is the year everything needs to come together; they’re expected to be good. They have to start believing they are in the elite, because they have the ability.
   "I say this every year, but I think this is the year we’re breaking through. I’m going to believe it again. What kind of coach would I be if I didn’t?"
   The Vikings have a senior-laden team led by Dan Latinsky, who was second on the squad with 150 kills and established the school record for blocks with 121 last year. Steve Smoke set the school record for digs with 131 while Zach Nieman had 117.
   Kevin Mariano topped SB with 270 assists while Travis Wardlow was second with 177. Ricky Duran, one of only three juniors on the team, had 94 kills and 62 blocks last season.
   Rounding out the roster are seniors Conor Monahan, Jose Camacho, Wei Hou, Dave Pal, Eric Cirulli and Steve Bobev along with juniors Brian Roth and Joe Yang.
   South Brunswick opens the season Monday against Edison.
   "The bench is pretty solid; there are guys on the bench that are better than guys that have started for me in the past," Dentler said. "If someone is having an off day, we have more than enough guns to keep the ball rolling for us. We’re excited about the prospects. We’re expecting to run an offense that will be tough for teams to match up with because we’ll always have three guys in the front row that can hit.
   "We’re just deep. We have players at every position that I have complete confidence in all the time."
   Of course, South Brunswick will have to start posting wins against some of the best teams in the state to be considered among the elite. Last year, the Vikings got a glimpse of the big time when they rose to No. 9 in the state’s poll. They will have plenty of chances to showcase their skills against the best squads because East Brunswick, Old Bridge and St. Joe’s all are in the Greater Middlesex Conference with SB.
   "I think one of those kinds of victories will certainly propel us," Dentler said. "If you want to make it to the final two days of the season and be playing for a title, you have to beat those teams. We’re certainly battled tested in our conference, but you have to beat those teams to get to the next level.
   "This is the year I think we’re able to do that. They certainly have the ability. I’m excited."