By Matthew Rocco
The St. John Vianney High School boys volleyball team may have fallen one game shy of the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) finals, but the Lancers are ready to get back onto the court in hopes of making another run at a postseason title.
Following a first-round bye, the fifth-seeded Lancers advanced past Colts Neck High School, 2-0 (25-20, 25-19), to reach the SCT semifinals at Georgina Court University in Lakewood, where St. John Vianney entered a challenging match-up with No. 1-seed Southern Regional High School. The Lancers ultimately lost its shot at the finals, falling, 2-0 (25-20, 25-21). Yet, the team has never looked better on the court, so the Lancers expect more success to come in the NJSIAA tournament.
“I think going into the [SCT], the boys were really hungry. They’re playing their best volleyball right now, which is really encouraging,” co-head coach Jessica Gadaleta said.
St. John Vianney (16-5) has proved its toughness in the SCT and other tournaments this season. Gadaleta said the Lancers played well against Southern Regional, which proceeded to take the SCT title with a victory over Wall High School. Early in the season, the Lancers won the Eastern Invitational with wins against Paul VI High School, Old Bridge High School and Livingston High School. The senior-heavy squad also reached the quarterfinals of the Rhody Invitational, a 25-team showcase hosted by Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. In pool play, St. John Vianney posted an 8-0 record.
The Lancers’ experience playing skilled opponents should be an asset in the coming weeks.
“I think our tournament experience this year will go a long way. We’re used to long days and long matches. We’ve played all sorts of competition from up and down the East Coast. We’re ready,” Gadaleta said.
Gadaleta also sees St. John Vianney’s senior class making a difference in a playoff atmosphere. The Lancers are a veteran team with captains Brian Ross, Austin Schlessinger and Michael McGimpsey, in addition to fellow seniors Jake Guempel, Daniel Hennessey, Mitchell Ionescu and David Kamenar.
“Our seniors are an invaluable resource for us. No team in New Jersey has had to weather as much adversity as we have, and the seniors have helped us get through it,” Gadaleta said. “For this group, it’s all about camaraderie. They really are best friends. You can see that cohesion on the court. It’s almost like they can read each other’s minds.
“That cohesion will get them through the state tournament.”
Amid the large senior contingent is a sophomore, center Alex Rufo, who Gadaleta said he has done a spectacular job as the team’s quarterback on the court.
Seeding for the NJSIAA tournament was scheduled to take place May 17, and the first round will begin a week later.