Old Bridge High School's Antonio Rocchio (8) sets up his teammate Michael Schon (18) during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.
It appears that the injury bug has left the boys’ volleyball team at Old Bridge High School.
“We’ve dealt with some injuries this year,” Old Bridge coach Andrew Hopman said. “We’ve had like three or four different lineups so far this year. It’s just a matter of building the chemistry back now that we’re back to our original lineup because everyone’s back.”
Now healthy, Old Bridge flexed its muscle and swept past Fair Lawn High School, 2-0, on May 1 in Old Bridge.
Hopman and junior outside hitter, Andrew Zaleck, were very pleased with how the team looked as the roster returned to form against the visiting school from Bergen County.
“We were hitting really well,” Hopman said. “We knew they had a great defense. It’s hard to touch the floor against them. So, we knew that everyone had to be on their game today. We served them tough, too, so that they couldn’t get into their offense.”
“We started to get our chemistry back,” Zaleck said. “We’re trying to get back into the flow of things with our lineup.”
Old Bridge has high expectations this year, and now that the Knights are healthy, the team is primed to make a run in the upcoming tournaments.
“We just want to take it game-by-game,” Hopman said. “We consider ourselves the best team in the state, and we’re ranked as one of the best teams in the state. So, we do want to end the season with a state title.”
“We definitely want to make it far in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament,” Zaleck said. “That and win states.”
Hopman talked about the quality players he coaches.
“Our outside hitter, [senior] Elan Dorkhman has been playing well,” Hopman said. “Our middle blockers have been really good. [Seniors] Randall Anderson is one middle blocker, while Mike Schon is the other. Our libero, [junior] Josh DeWitt has been playing great as well.”
The Knights ended their regular season on May 8 at home against a visitor from Gloucester County, Kingsway Regional High School.
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Randall Anderson (25) and Antonio Rocchio (8) leaps in an effort to block a hit during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Filip Cizek (10) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to hit the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) jumps to complete a hit while his opponents try to intervene during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Andrew Zaleck (12) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Elan Dorkhman (15) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Volleyball Team huddles to discuss game plan during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Volleyball Team focuses on game plans during a huddle at match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Nehal Patel (6) digs for the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Nehal Patel (6) serves the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Nehal Patel (6) serves the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Andrew Zaleck (12) dives to save a ball from hitting the ground during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
Old Bridge High School's Andrew Zaleck (12) leaps in an effort to serve the ball during a match against Fair Lawn on May 1. The Knights went on to win the matches 2-0 overall.▲
