Let’s Give Out Some Brass!

6/6/23

Major Awards Finalists!

Player of the Year Finalists:

Matt Tiernan (Chariho) - Sr - Tiernan leads the state in kills (501) and is hitting roughly .331 and averaging close to 7 kills per set. His top three match kill totals were 41 (Classical), 36 (MSC/NS), and 33 (Cov). His teams sits fourth and have signature wins over MSC/ NS, Classical, East Greenwich…and now NK Ultimately, a one-man wrecking crew who has led his team to a significant playoff wins with a shot to win it. Upsetting NK at the Forge for a trip to the finals, though huge, was just icing on the cake.

Cody Tow (North Kingstown) - So. - Tow has been the main arm on a team that has arms everywhere. Ranking 6th in kills in the state (220), the sophomore is hitting a .238 with three top match kill totals of 21 (CE), 20 (MSC/NS), and 18 (CE). His team earned the top seed in the playoffs, and he’s been on the floor from start to finish.

Jet Nascimento (Central) - Jr. - Nascimento is the closest we’ve come to a player averaging a triple double this year. He’s generally north of ten kills, digs, and sometimes blocks. He’s been one of the top forces in D2, and his Central team has followed his lead causing issues for everyone they’ve played. His team finished 6th in the regular season, upset the 4th seed Westerly in the quarters, with other signature wins against East Providence and Tolman.

Christian Mak (Cranston West) - Jr. - Mak claimed the top hitting percentage in the state. He’s hitting a .535 with 177 kills and 39 blocks. His team is the second seed in D2 and Mak has some significant kill totals in the regular season with 16 (Central and Lincoln) and 14 (Westerly). He also put up 6 block vs. West Warwick and 4 blocks twice vs. Cranston East and East Providence.

Jack Johnson (La Salle Academy) - Sr. - Johnson’s been the main hammer on a team that features a lot of good players. He’s amassed 273 kills in 2023 placing him second in the state. His team nabbed the second seed after the regular season concluded and his top three kill grabbing matches included 23 vs. Cranston East, 22 vs. Chariho, and 20 vs. North Kingstown.

6/7/23 Note: I’m going to add Brayden Stanger to the Player of the Year Finalists as well. Stanger, a senior pin from East Greenwich, shared the weight of an offense that was highly left pin centric. Stanger was able to amass close to 300 kills (if he wasn’t over 300, he was close) and 165 plus digs. His serving was another heavy factor to his game and though he accumulated close to 50 aces on the season, he was also able to put teams in uncomfortable positions at the line. There were many good years from a lot of talented players out there, so deciding who went where was immensely challenging (as it always is…the goal is to get it right), however I did feel I missed Stanger’s year in this article, and he is worthy of consideration.

Defensive Player of the Year Finalists:

James Azzinaro (Chariho) - Sr. - Azzinaro had a slow start to the season, but came on strong, averaging 4.1 digs per set with a total to date of 172. He’s been a key factor in his team’s standing and has had monster matches of dig totals with 23 vs. North Kingstown, 22 vs. Cranston East, and 21 vs. Hendricken. Azzinaro’s level gives Chariho a chance to outlast almost everyone in a grinder.

Ephraim Abhulime (La Salle Academy) - Jr. - One of the few players in the state that are known just by his first name, Abhulime can change the game without generating a point. His block changes the way attackers do business and have adjusted the placement of the ball by setters. Stats say he has 77 blocks averaging 1.3 per game, but no matter what his stats are, his length and block form absolutely cause discomfort for all opponents.

Ben Sousa (MSC/NS) - Jr. - The Pit Bull of Liberos, Sousa has been a huge factor in his team’s success. Willing to run through a wall (literally if you ask Ben Lind about him) for a ball, Sousa saves his crew points night in and night out. Decent passer, underrated server, and just all-around energizer, Sousa does give everything he has no matter the opponent or situation.

Ryan Harrington (North Kingstown) - So. - Double double machine, Harrington will get you north of 10 kills and 10 digs every night. He sees the game very well and reads plays, often as they develop and before they happen. Add a tough serve to the package and you have a player to fear for years to come. His defense and volleyball IQ, are really the key to his, and team’s, success.

AJ Martinez (West Warwick) - Sr. - State’s top dig man, Martinez has put up some ridiculous totals in the dig business. His team had a tough year, but his level kept them in a lot of matches that may have turned ugly. With top dig totals of 48 vs. Toll Gate, 38 vs. Central, and 32 vs. Westerly, Martinez was able to showcase his skill against some of the top dogs in the D2 world.

Setter of the Year Finalists:

Tyler Yang (North Kingstown) - Sr. - The steady hand of Tyler Yang has led to a lot of success. With two state championships, Yang has captained two of the top offenses in the state since 2021. He isn’t going to make the flashy play but will make the correct one and knows that getting the ball to the right attacker matters especially in key moments. He’s over a 1000 assists for his career, and in 2023 has 722 plus, good for tops in the state.

James Men (Classical) - Jr. - Men may be undersized, but he puts up a great ball and runs a solid offense. Authoring arguably the most unique offense in the state this year, Men often would run slides and pushes to success with his foray of arms. 90% of the time the ball was in the zone with space off the net leading to a solid swing. He had 674 assists on the year, second in the league.

Caden Sullivan (MSC / NS) - Jr. - The premier setter in the state. At 6’4, he blocks pretty well to go with his ability to run the potent Hybrid offense. His team finished third in the regular season but went on a streak of dominance in the second half. Decision making is solid, the ball is in the right spot, and he’s not afraid to find his horses even in tough situations. His ball control is solid and the serve is pretty tough as well. High ceiling for Sullivan to be sure!

Ali Abdur-Razzak (La Salle Academy) - Jr. - Another solid blocker, Ali has come a long way since the beginning of the season. Early on the ball was inconsistent and often would fly past the pin. Through hard work, the ball placement is light years better and his attackers are getting good swings now on the regular. At 6’5, with long arms, Ali’s potential is sky high. Not a bad junior campaign either with 637 assists and counting.

Aidan Hay - (Cranston West) - Sr. - Hay has been the little engine that could this season…but that’s only if you didn’t know about him prior to this year. Through a lot of work, both in season and out, Hay has put together a very good year for his high school finale. His team finished second in the D2 regular season, he’s amassed 491 assists to date, and he’s been a stronger blocker then advertised.

Newcomer of the Year:

Michael Dobrzanski (East Greenwich) - Jr. - Dobz started the year out as an undersized middle, which was where he was last year…then, Coach Porter made a change, put him on the pin, and boy did Doby flourish from there. Try 251 kills, 3.5 kills per set, 36 aces, and 152 digs. His bounce and athleticism paid instant dividends on the left and turned EG into a way more complicated puzzle.

Jack Kenyon (Westerly) - Jr. - Big Jack was a third middle on last year’s runner-up team. This year, however, he was the horse that everything was built on. Hitting from all aspects of the net, the top blocker for a team that relied on that skill for many points, and being called upon to lead a totally revamped crew that lost a lot of seniors, Kenyon handled all of the jobs quite well. He’s big, physical, and is only going to get better.

Alpha Barry (Classical) - Sr. - Classical had a top setter and a three headed monster for pin killers in Wallace, Barry, and Agramonte. Barry made huge strides in his senior season, especially in the stretch run, and was second in kills and points for his club. Nabbing 182 kills, averaging 2.6 kills per set, and hitting .383, it became clear that teams had to know where his was on the floor at all times.

Quinlan Fahy (North Kingstown) - Jr. - Mr. Fahy came into the league this year as a basketball convert. He’s going to leave this season as one of the top 26 players in the state, as his middle play has been an incredible success story. Though unconventional early on, Fahy’s level has only increased each week and his future in the game is sky high. Current stats of 166 kills, 60 plus blocks, and hitting roughly a .343.

Charlie Pincince (Cranston East) - So. - Mr. Pincince was thrust into the role of lead pin the moment Jethro Vargas went down in hitting lines in the first match. He handled the situation as best as possible and has become a player to watch in the future. Hitting roughly .250 and certainly north of 125 kills, Charlie improved in every aspect of the game over the season and that, no doubt, will continue into the future.

Coach of the Year:

Josh D’Abate (MSC / NS) - Coach D’Abate was able to navigate an injury plagued start to the season and get his team to come together at the right moment to make a dominant run during the last three weeks of the regular season. No stranger to winning games, this particular season, Coach D’Abate has developed more of a teaching model of coaching…quite different from his past iterations of running a club. His team is arguably the most complete out there and they’re in position to win the whole thing.

Brian Hesford (North Kingstown) - Hesford’s current run of winning championships will stop at two in a row, but his team was still the top seed after the regular season and he’s had to navigate a very challenging environment, especially in 2023. Two years ago, he had a stacked team, last year he had the top player in the state, and this year he had good pieces but a lot of sophomores and underclassmen asked to carry the heavy load. Throughout it all, Hesford, and fellow coach Chris Batzinger, are prepared, professional, and have created a tradition of excellence in North Kingstown that is the bar all teams measure themselves against.

Michael Harrington (Bishop Hendricken) - Architect of one of the greatest dynasty’s in RI boys volleyball history, some of the best players to ever do it have gone through Harri’s gym. This season posed a different challenge and as per usual Coach Harri accomplished the goal. With a lot of new players to the game and a snake bit season throughout, Harri still was able to get the crew to make a run at the end, get a signature win, and make the playoffs (which was certainly in doubt). Kids get great life lessons in his gym and they always work hard for him…which is why he’s always in the mix.

Lyndsey Sweeney (Lincoln) - When it looked early on like the Lions would have one of those seasons where nothing could go right, Coach Sweeney was able to turn the ship around. Right at the halfway point, with a pretty significant losing record (losing 5 of their first 6), the Lions turned it around and went on an absolute run that continues to this day (winning 9 of their last 10). A finals visit would cement one of the coolest seasons in recent memory and some major bonfides for Coach Sweeney!

Christian Lambert (Barrington) - It was originally billed as a two man show, with Godwin and Kelley. From there, however, Coach Lambert was able to cultivate a holistic team that could beat you in many ways. The crowning moment to date, was going into Cranston West and winning in five after earlier in the year hosting said Falcons and getting smoked. Now the Eagles are in position to go to the finals, an achievement that Coach Lambert certainly has helped steer them toward.

***Major award winners will be revealed at the ResV All-Star Matches on June 17th at East Greenwich HS at the conclusion of the boys match that starts at 2pm.

2023 ResV Teams:

First Team All-ResV:

Pin - Matt Tiernan (Chariho) - Sr.

Pin - Ryan Harrington (North Kingstown) - So.

Pin - Jack Johnson (La Salle Academy) - Sr.

Middle - Ephraim Abhulime (La Salle Academy) - Jr.

Middle - Thomas Matchett (MSC / NS) - Jr.

Setter - Caden Sullivan (MSC / NS) - Jr.

Libero - James Azzinaro (Chariho) - Sr.

Second Team All-ResV:

Pin - Cody Tow (North Kingstown) - So.

Pin - Brayden Stanger (East Greenwich) - Sr.

Pin - Nick Lisi (La Salle Academy) - Sr.

Middle - Jared Samson (North Kingstown) - Sr.

Middle - Quinlan Fahy (North Kingstown) - Jr.

Setter - James Men (Classical) - Jr.

Libero - Ben Sousa (MSC / NS) - Jr.

Third Team All-ResV:

Pin - Connor DeSousa (MSC/NS) - Jr.

Pin - Michael Dobrzanski (East Greenwich) - Jr.

Pin - Christian Mak (Cranston West) - Jr.

Middle - Jack Kenyon (Westerly) - Jr.

Middle - Chris Harvey (Cranston West) - Jr.

Setter - Tyler Yang (North Kingstown) - Sr.

Libero - AJ Martinez (West Warwick) - Sr.

Fourth Team All-ResV:

Pin - Maddox Godwin (Barrington) - Jr.

Pin - Cam Kelley (Barrington) - Jr.

Pin - Teddy Wallace (Classical) - Jr.

Middle - Alvendz Viera Dones (MSC / NS) - Jr.

Middle - Travis Plante (Chariho) - Jr.

Setter - Max Silverman (East Greenwich) - Jr.

Libero - Luke Van Ness (Barrington) - Jr.

Honorable Mentions:

Pin - Devin Lynch (Bishop Hendricken) - Sr.

Pin - Brian Garrepy (Bishop Hendricken) - Sr.

Pin - Charlie Pincince (Cranston East) - So.

Middle - Jet Nasciemnto (Central) - Jr.

Middle - Tyler Dickinson (Lincoln) - Sr.

Setter - Ali Abdur-Razzak (La Salle Academy) - Jr.

Libero - Spencer Warburton (East Greenwich) - Jr.