Can the Boys Volleyball Team Bump, Set, and Spike their way to a Three-Peat at Sectionals?
By Aidan Dobrosielski, Editor-in-Chief (2023)
In 2021, the North Boys Volleyball Team, led by captains Jacob Hernandez, Jack Guiney, Frank Bruno, and Nick Gamez, took down Suffern in straight sets to win the Section 1 Championship. In 2022, captains Matt Siegel and Matt Toplitsky led the very talented Rams to an undefeated season and a sectional chip over Yorktown. In 2023, captains Brandon Gelb, Kaden Miller, and Drew Ciganek hope to further solidify their legacy in Clarkstown North Volleyball History. And they are already off to a great start.
Led by Coach Gartshore, the Clarkstown North Volleyball Program has been built up into a powerhouse in Section 1 Athletics. And they show no sign of slowing down this season. The Boys Varsity Volleyball Team has not lost a sectional match since 2021. In 2021, the team beat Suffern in straight sets by a score of 25-18, 25-20, 26-24 to secure the sectional title. Then, in a record-breaking year, the 2022 North Volleyball squad went undefeated not only in matches, but in sets, throughout the regular season and Section 1 Tournament: 17-0 in matches, 51-0 in sets. They took down the Yorktown Huskies by a score of 25-21, 25-12, 25-9 to clinch their second consecutive Section 1 Championship. In 2023, the team is heating up and creating something really special.
Junior Captain Brandon Gelb says “I think our motivation to defend the crown will always be important, but right now we’re focused on one game at a time. When playoffs come, we’ll be ready and well prepared, but right now we’re focused on finishing the regular season strong. I think a main key to our success is how well we all work as a team. Everyone on the volleyball team has built a great relationship with each other inside and outside of volleyball. We all know how to play off each other and what works for each of us, which helps us build and grow as a team every single day. I think every year our team gets more and more skilled, so we’re undefeated since 2021 because we’ve built up our skills and our knowledge of the game to understand all situations we’re in.” The team is currently 12-0 in matches and 36-0 in sets. This record sounds very familiar. Can they keep it up? Past precedent says yes, especially with their hard work and dedication.
Kaden Miller (#14) spiking against Tappan Zee High School
(Image courtesy of Clarkstown North Volleyball Program)
(Brandon Gelb, Kaden Miller, and the team with the North Rockland Volleyball Tournament 1st Place Trophy)
(Image courtesy of Clarkstown North Volleyball Program)
Although there are some returners (Drew Ciganek, Kaden Miller, Brandon Gelb, Noah Bleifer, and Jack Carello), the team is mostly made up of new players. The squad is young and hungry for a title. Juniors Connor Cullen, Rishon Kandamkulathy, Jacob Svara, Justin Joseph, Oscar Flores, and Andrew Jaynes are looking for their first sectional title. Three sophomores are also playing for the team this season: Rotimi Esiso, Ben Anish, and Quinn Miller. Go Rams!
Timi Esisi (#10) and Kaden Miller (#14)
On Wednesday, September 20th, they swept cross-town rival Clarkstown South by a score of 25-16, 25-19, 25-23. Key players were Drew Ciganek who had 17 kills and 2 aces, Kaden Miller who added 10 kills and 2 blocks, and Brandon Gelb who had 24 assists. In their most recent game against Suffern, they swept the competition by a score of 25-14, 25-13, 25-20. The attack was led by newcomers Rotimi Esiso who had an impressive 16 kills on the day and Connor Cullen who had 5 kills. The Ram’s setter, Gelb, exploded for 31 assists. The team also took 1st Place at the 2023 North Rockland Volleyball Tournament.
The 2023 Boys Varsity Volleyball Team looks ready to take on any competition that comes their way as they move closer and closer to the Section 1 Tournament. The Rams will take on North Rockland on Tuesday, October 17th, Scarsdale on Thursday, October 18th, and East Ramapo on Monday, October 23rd. The team looks forward to defending their crown this postseason, which is set to begin on Thursday, October 26th. Be on the lookout for more announcements. Let's go Rams.
Brandon Gelb setting Kaden Miller in their match against the Clarkstown South Vikings
(Image courtesy of Clarkstown North Volleyball Program)