Boys’ Volleyball Aims To Build On Breakthrough Season

April 5, 2010 by Greg Lederer

When you win your first championship, the hunger often grows stronger for another one. The Cheshire High School boys’ volleyball team waited six years for their first taste last year. Cheshire compiled their first undefeated record within the Southern Connecticut Conference, capturing the regular season and tournament titles. That surge included their first victory ever over rival Shelton and the Rams (10th seed) reached their first Class L semifinal, before being swept 3-0 by second-seeded Southington.
“It was one of the best feelings to add the first two banners,” said Mike Clark, a senior captain alongside Steve Sutherland and Pete Stephan.
Cheshire returns experience from that team. But, can they find the same magic without six seniors? The graduating class showed composure in helping the Rams win all six of their five-game matches (14-9 overall record).
“If I had a concern, we lost the composure aspect of those seniors. They weren’t too high or too low,” explained Cheshire Head Coach Sue Bavone. “This senior group is emotional. That isn‘t a bad thing, but something they have to work through this year.”
“It will be very important,” reflected Sutherland. “We have to come together and talk it out on the floor.”
Sutherland won his first Class LL title with the football team last fall, an experience he hopes to replicate in 2010. In order to reach their goal, players trained during the off-season. Five Rams did club volleyball.
“It definitely motivates us. We want to go for it and win a championship,” said Stephan.
Bavone was pleasantly surprised to have 37 boys try out.
“We have 17 sophomores, so they have three years to get better. (Cheshire) Parks and Recreation is starting a boys’ program this year. I‘m really happy there is a big interest,” added Bavone. “The only downside is that the returning guys want to start where we left off. They were frustrated, but you have to be patient because we are working in new guys.”
It is hard to miss the front line. Cheshire has never had a taller nor deeper group of hitters. Sutherland (123 kills, 62 blocks), Stephan (139 kills, 101 blocks, 11 service aces), and classmate Jordan Attwood (17 kills, nine blocks) form a strong rotation in the middle. Considering he missed the first half of last season following wrist surgery, Sutherland was crucial to the playoff surge.
“It meant a lot. We were struggling at the beginning and it frustrated me not being out there,” recalled Sutherland. “I felt that I could just jump right in.”
He came up big in the Class L quarterfinals. Cheshire was swept in the first two meetings with Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe and lost the first two games of the third match. Sutherland recalls hearing someone say the match-up would end in a sweep. He proceeded to give a much-needed spark, blocking the opposing middle hitter. The Rams won the next three games for an improbable upset.
“It’s funny. Steve’s sport is obviously football, but his athleticism is really good. He can adjust to the pass in the air,” explained Bavone. “He brings intensity and gets the guys fired up.”
Bavone feels that Attwood is the most improved player. Stephan has played middle for three years.
“I want him (Stephan) to be more offensive over just blocking,” reflected Bavone. “He isn’t just hitting at blocks, but hitting angles now.”
Like Sutherland, sophomore right-side hitter Nate Howard (103 kills, 26 blocks) emerged down the stretch last season. His six feet and eight inch height is integral both offensively and defensively. Juniors Joe Bahgat (152 kills, 48 blocks; All-SCC second team) and Ryan Cuppernull move around outside.
“He has good coordination and gets off his feet. He is the tallest kid in the state,” said Bavone, of Howard. “Joe (Bahgat) played right side all winter and is now playing his natural position outside. He is ripping the ball down the line and just has to mix it up. He is so coachable and that’s important because we need him to be engaged on defense.”
Bavone loves the versatility of her hitters. But, the key is how they utilize them. Graduated captains Joe Ortowski, John Shea, and Brian Choplick, along with setter Jason Rotell, passed the ball and played solid defense.
“We lost ball control guys, who were great passers,” Bavone explained. “We are working on coverage and defense. It’s a serve and pass game. No matter how many big guys you have, you need to get the ball to them.”
Senior Steve Li (98 kills, 147 digs, 27 blocks, 18 aces) is replacing Rotell at setter. Senior newcomer Michael Hathaway adds depth.
“It is going pretty well. We are still getting used to the sets,” said Sutherland. “It feels good to have so many hitters. We can back up people and fill in if there is an injury.”
“We won’t look crisp hitting early, but it will come,” added Bavone. “The concern is that if Steve sets, we lose a good defender.”
Bavone believes defense is essential to success. Clark (123 digs; All-SCC second team) steps into libero, the position he played over the winter. Junior Jochai Mor returns experience and junior Dan Carrillo also steps into the varsity mix.
“I feel pretty confident. We have talented kids coming back,” added Clark.
“I think Mike is the best libero in the league,” stated Bavone. “He reads the ball very well.”
With their size and strength, there is potential for a strong service and blocking team. Senior Brian DeBisschop, a six feet and five inch athlete, is a tall addition.
“I think Nate (Howard) will alter shots at the net. Hopefully, we will force roll shots and get quick offense. But, our defense has to be attentive for those deflections,” Bavone explained.
Bavone felt last year’s SCC titles were validation for her program. Cheshire persevered through a pair of five-game victories over Xavier, winning the tournament title in Shelton. Ortowski received Most Outstanding Player.
“That SCC Championship meant more to me than the 2007 (Class LL) title with the girls’ (program),” reflected Bavone. “I’ve coached many championships. Since I’ve been here, every girl has graduated with some kind of title. But, those kids (boys) had never won before. They battled and did everything right.”
“It was very important and big for our psyche,” added Stephan, of going unbeaten in five-game matches. “I thought we showed mental strength.”
Cheshire and Xavier (April 12, May 7) will battle again. Amity (April 16, May 10), Shelton (May 3 and 19), and Daniel Hand (April 30, May 17) also compete within the SCC. The Rams open the season against Danbury (Thursday, 6 p.m.; May 14) and at Conard (April 9), opponents they’ve never faced on the boys’ side. Newington (April 19, May 24) and Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe (May 21) are rivals, as well.
“I don’t know what to expect from Enfield (April 29, May 12) too,” said Bavone. “I think our schedule has a nice mix of teams that will push us and allow for moving players around.”