Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The state tournament is now the target for the John P. Stevens High School boys’ volleyball team.
The Hawks will bid to rebound from a loss in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final when the Central Jersey state tournament opened last week.
In the GMC final, J.P. Stevens was defeated by Old Bridge High School, 2-0, on May 19.
The Hawks did shine in their semifinal victory over East Brunswick High School when they posted a 2-1 victory on May 17 in Edison.
Coach Anthony White and senior outside hitter Eric Li both touched on the Hawks’ victory over East Brunswick.
“We were able to concentrate on our passes down the stretch,” White said. “We made a couple of adjustments on the defense, we moved Eric over to cover their outside hitter between game one and two. Honestly, we think it put a lot of pressure on their hitters. Once we got set, we played fine. The only thing I wish we would have done better is work the middle a little bit more.”
“The biggest thing was that we didn’t let that first set get to us,” Li said. “We were able to get some momentum going back in the second game into the third. Even in the second and third set, even if we gave up a point here or there, we were able to regroup, and trusted each other.”
The Hawks lost the first set, 25-22, but were able to win the second set , 25-22. The Hawks sealed their trip to the GMC final with a 25-17 victory in the third set.
Making adjustments will help J.P. Stevens in the state tournament.
“We want to serve a little bit tougher, and keep making tweaks in our defense,” White said. “Once we do that, we’re as dangerous as any team in the state.”
“It’s just a couple of little things in the defense,” Li added. “Serving a bit better, and working the defense. But, honestly, the biggest thing that we need to take away from this game is that we can battle back from anything. If we think that then, even going into states, it will help us win a lot of games.”
The Hawks hope that they earn the chance to avenge their 2-1 loss that they suffered in last year’s Central Jersey final to Bridegwater-Raritan High School. There is a chance the Hawks may meet Bridgewater-Raritan in the state semifinals this week.
“I think like anybody else, we hope to win,” White said. “That’s why we’re playing the season. We were in the game last year, and lost to North Brunswick. I’m hoping that experience, coupled with our hard regular season schedule will do the trick. I think we’re going to be ready for it. I really think we are.”
“I don’t like to think about it too much in the big picture,” Li said. “I think we need to look at it as a game-by-game basis. Just look at the next game. No matter who our opponent is, I think we can beat anybody we face as long as we have that mindset.”
White has a lot of confidence in his veteran leaders, stating that thinks that some of the team’s players have been overlooked and underrated all year.
“Our middle, [senior] Nick Schenk,” White said. “Our two setters, who both had a wonderful game today. [Seniors] Jon Kuan and Nirav Patel. [Senior] Jatin Jain consistently puts up a lot of blocks. Honestly speaking, I wish he got a lot more love in the end of the year awards. He works his butt off and is as good as anybody. He’s an asset to our team, it’s just that simple.”
