BY AVERY PERSON
Sports Page Editor
The boys volleyball team finished last season with an overall record of 29-1, won the GMC Tournament, and reached the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 Finals. This year, they look to finish the job.
Some key players from last year have since graduated, including Blake Krapf, who led the team in kills. “Losing some of our seniors who have continued their career playing volleyball was tough to overcome emotionally, but knowing the people we have to fill those gaps, I feel complete with our experience,” said junior Troy Markle.
The success the program has found in recent seasons has created high expectations and lofty goals. “We plan on focusing on one point, set, and game at a time,” said senior middle blocker Massimo Roco, who finished third on last year’s team in kills with 147.
The team has six seniors with varsity experience returning, and they look to use that to their advantage. “Everyone on the team works so hard every day in practice, which drives us to be an even better overall team,” said Markle, who racked up 264 assists last year as a sophomore.
The boys have put in the effort since last season to get an even better finish to their season. “Working hard in the off season has improved the team immensely,” said Roco. “Lots of guys have really upped their game.”
USA Today has ranked the team third in the northeast region and 11th in the nation, but the boys just see that as a starting point. “It was a huge achievement but there’s always room to improve,” said senior setter Nicholas Do.
This year the boys plan on winning a state championship. “The team is looking to focus on our technical skills, so we can achieve the big goal of a state championship,” said Markel. “Focusing each day at practice and film, we can accomplish our goals.”
The NJSIAA moved the team to the South region last season after the Knights won the whole NJSIAA State Tournament the previous year, forcing them to face some stiff competition in the regional level of the tournament. “I expect to be able to continue to compete as a top team as in previous years,” said Do, who led the team with 406 assists last year.
The boys start their march toward another championship with their first game at home against West Windsor-Plainsboro South on April 3 at 5:30pm.
Posted on 3/25/24
Photos by Katelyn Buchalter
Knight Life 