PENNSBURY BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
Head coach: Justin Fee (8th season)
Last year’s record: 12-0 SOL National Conference champions, 20-2 overall, finished as the PIAA Class AAA state runner-up
Key players:
Overall, we are only returning one varsity starter from last season (Jim Zaluski). With the exception of Nate Hall and Eric Tepel, all of our other starters regardless of grade have started playing volleyball last season. We have tremendous potential to progress and grow quickly this season due to how young and inexperienced we are as a team. However, I am sure we will have our ups and downs trying to defend our 64-game SOL National win streak (last loss in April 2006). As of now, our starting team consists of four seniors, one junior, three sophomores (six plus libero and defensive specialist).
Jim Zaluski – 12th grade, opposite/middle. Jim is our only returning starter from last year’s state runner-up team. Jim was an all-state selection as a junior and has committed to Loyola of Chicago to play men’s volleyball next season. Loyola is currently ranked top 10 in the nation. In an effort to get Jim the ball more often, I am trying him in a new position this season. As the season moves on, Jim will continue to get more comfortable and show how dominant he can be. This offseason he touched 11’6” high on his spike approach jump. He is big, athletic, and can jump. That is a dangerous combination! Jim just needs a little time at his new position, along with our young setter Pat Merrick becoming more confident as a player. When those two parts begin to come together, I believe good things will happen for us.
Nate Hall – 12th grade, middle/opposite. Nate has some varsity experience filling in last season when Jim Zaluski went down with a month-long ankle injury.
Eric Tepel – 12th grade, Libero. Tepel also played a good amount last season as our defensive specialist and has continued to improve his skills. He should be one of our best passers and defenders this season.
Harry Bergman – 12th grade, defensive specialist. Harry is only in his second year of playing volleyball and has no varsity experience, but he is a tremendous athlete with great quickness and body control. His skill level and knowledge has been progressing nicely, and he should play an important role defensively.
Pat Merrick – 10th grade, setter. This is Pat’s second year of volleyball and first year with varsity experience. He is very young and raw, but is improving nicely and will eventually with hard work be a very talented setter.
Dalton Zimmerman – 11th grade, middle. This is Dalton’s second season playing volleyball and his first as a varsity starter. He has been solid for us this offseason, and I expect him to play an important role on our team.
Sean Kropp – 10th grade, outside hitter. This is Sean’s second season playing volleyball and his first year with varsity experience. Lots of potential, just needs to continue to gain experience, refine some skills, and build confidence. Will be a big factor in how successful we are this season.
Neil Helsel – 10th grade, outside hitter. This is Neil’s second season playing volleyball and his first year with varsity experience. He has worked to very hard this offseason to become a much better volleyball player. I would expect him to continue to improve throughout the season and be a big part of our success.
Expectations for season:
Stay healthy, continue to gain confidence as a young team and begin to peak towards the end of the season.
Our goal every year is to win the league and the district, then play our best going into the PIAA tournament. However, I have the same expectations as a coach this season but we have not looked that far yet as a team. We are setting lots of small realistic and obtainable goals along the way in an effort to improve quick enough to be an elite team by the end of the season.
Fun facts:
2004 – 2010 (last 7 years):
2010: 12-0 SOL National Champs, Dist #1 Runner-Up, PIAA State Runner-Up. 20-2 Overall.
League:
102-2 98% (win percent) 64 wins in a row, last loss April 20th 2006
6 out of 7 League championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
District #1:
18-4
(2006, 2008, & 2009 District #1 Champion, 2004, 2007, & 2010 District #1 Runner up)
PIAA Championships:
2004 – 4-2 Finalist 2nd place
2005 – 0-0 (#10 in PA volleyball coaches poll)
2006 – 2-2 Quarterfinalist (final 8)
2007 – 4-2 Finalist 2nd place
2008 – 2-2 (quarterfinalist) #5 in state
2009 – 2-2 (quarterfinalist) #5 in state
2010 – 5-1 Finalist 2nd place
Overall record since 2004 (League, District #1, PIAA)
144 – 17 89% (winning percentage)
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