Week Eight…Playoffs Mean Payoffs…
5/26/24
Happy Memorial Day Weekend - Thank you to those that gave everything…
Understanding your past, allows you to prepare for the future. It’s the real reason history books exist. Documenting the trials and tribulations of man, civilizations, etc., provide the playbook of what to do and what not to do… and sometimes it’s the what not to do that matters most. I was able to talk to many coaches this season, high school and college, and the topic that kept coming back up was…X happened last season, last week, yesterday…so we’re preparing, practicing, training this way today so that we don’t let X happen again. Seems a simple idea, but it’s amazing how often it’s avoided. We like the new, the easy, the inventive, but it’s the reflection of the past that is often key to success in the future.
With the playoffs now here, there are many teams that have pasts from the previous year that hopefully were considered in building their teams of today. North Kingstown, Cranston East, East Providence, Westerly, Juanita Sanchez, and Tolman/Shea are just the teams that come to mind with this idea in mind…but all the teams left have it as well. Playoff sports reveal quite a bit about the human beings involved. Pressure, focus, emotional control…we get to see how well all have prepared for those. Add that only one team each year finishes their season with a win and you have captivating events.
If nothing else, when it’s all over, take the idea of remembering / documenting your history…failure is learning, learn to love the journey and not just a result, avoid the pitfalls you’ve made in the past by being your own historical scholar, and forgive yourself when decisions go awry. Being a champion is nice…being an inquisitive and historical academic for all your days overshadows any trophy made of plastic and gold paint.
Note: To all players on all the playoff teams…If I’ve picked your team to win, you are motivated. If I’ve picked your team to lose, you are motivated to prove me wrong. Both are good and both will make me happy. Go get it done!
D1 First Round Playoff Matchups:
(8) Chariho at (1) North Kingstown: Skippers host the Chargers with one thing in mind, playing clean. It’s not a hard concept for them, as the error quotient for the NK side is remarkably low. I couldn’t have agreed more with one of their parents when it was brought up that the lows for NK just don’t last as long as others and that’s the key to their success. There is an interesting item however, as the setting situation for NK is not exactly solidified. They’ve used five setters this year. You wouldn’t think that from a team that’s only tasted defeat once. Meanwhile, the Chargers have altered their schematic multiple times trying to find the right combination to give them success. I don’t think Chariho can damage NK enough in the middle for the rest of the offense to be highly effective, especially with the barrage of serving power that NK provides. NK in three.
(5) Classical at (4) North Smithfield: I like both teams quite a bit. Both have players that I’ve worked with in the club circuit, and both do a lot of nice things on the court. Ok, with that all being said, I like the Northmen in this one. I’ve been rooting for the Purple to put a top team away and it’s just not materialized. It is in there, but for some reason there is just too many errors to finish jobs. Meanwhile, North Smithfield, as reported many times before is cool, calm, and collected…maybe too much of all that. They need some fire to put away teams instead of letting them hang around on them. There is reason to be fiery, excited, about where this team can finish. However, if you’re Classical, no better time to break through then now… NS in four.
(6) Bishop Hendricken at (3) LaSalle Academy: Craftiness vs. brute strength. This one is interesting as the Hawks do not have the size or power of the Rams, but they do play a clever brand of ball. Meanwhile, the Rams have ball control issues and often find themselves in tough battles that one wouldn’t think they should be in. LaSalle also lives in the emotional maelstrom that can destroy their opponent…but could also destroy themselves. It would take a near perfect match from Hendricken to get through here, along with a pretty lousy outing from the Rams. Not impossible, but not probable. LaSalle in four.
(7) East Greenwich at (2) Cranston East: If I’m Cranston East, I’m nervous in this match…especially if in warm-ups the Avengers look healthy from all their attackers. CE is still the better team, and they’re at home, but take this Avenger side for granted at your peril. EG, when healthy, which has not been often, features pins that can do work, an O1 who is as good as anybody, a crafty setter, and a bulldog Libero. CE has the huge arm on the left, good ground defenders, but their inefficiency at the net (blocking) is eyebrow raising. This one feels upsetty to me, but I completely recognize that EG will need to be borderline perfect to steal one here. I also believe that if CE can score in the middle often, they’ll end up on the right side of this. CE in four.
D2 First Round Playoff Matchups:
(5) Westerly at (4) Lincoln: First round matchups rarely trend to the five-set slobber knockers…that’s usually saved for the semifinals, but I think this one between the Bulldogs and the Lions is going to be a war. Westerly has arguably the top pin in the state. His teammates have bought in and are playing at their next levels as well. The Lions have a group of basketball/volleyball championship veterans who know how to win the whole thing…and if you doubt that, see last year’s exceptional run they made after the halfway point. Both teams are flawed, but mask those flaws pretty well provided they both stick to their respective game plans. It’s a coin toss for me, but I’m going with Westerly in five…and could easily be wrong.
(6) Central at (3) East Providence: Every once in a while, I catch a pro…I mean a real professional in the broadcasting business…make a prediction about a sporting event that makes me think…how am I not on tv? I’m talking a real ludicrous take that the average layman could tear apart…and that person gets paid to make that point. Unthinkable, sometimes. Then it occurred to me that the sports prediction business, like anything else, has a downside. If you’re a pundit, your job is to make predictions all the time. That’s your job, so sometimes you don’t know anything about the game, but you have to pretend you do. They can’t all be winners. This match, is not one of those times, though. EP is devastating at home. Central has one of the top pins in the state, but it’ll be too much EP in the barn where they wreck shop. EP in three.
D3 First Round Playoff Matchups:
Note: Not doing the preliminary matches…so if you’re on the losing end prediction of the prelims, go win and make my article in this part obsolete! That’s what I’d do if I was on those teams. Res needs to be brought done a peg or two…and you’re not wrong.
(8) Toll Gate at (1) Tolman/Shea: I got a text message from a trusty friend right after Central Falls lost to Scituate, handing the number one seed to Tolman/Shea of which I predicted in the week 7 article... “Had a feeling, did you, Res?” I retorted with a small sentence…Call me Restradamous. As illustrated in the above paragraph, the prediction business of sports is a tough one. Sometimes, you do get lucky…like when you’re playing Jenga, it’s your turn, the whole room is watching, and you pick the impossible block, pull it fast and the weight of the rest lands perfectly and holds. Boom, you’re the guy! The Pawtucket boy’s volleyball revenge tour is entering its climax and there isn’t much the Titans can do about it. Tolman/Shea in three.
(5) Portsmouth at (4) Scituate: What is it, year two, for Portsmouth? That’s pretty awesome for a club to be so new and capture the fifth seed in the most competitive D3 boy’s volleyball division I’ve seen in five years. Now, as the applause slowly fade, I don’t think they move on from here. Scituate has one of the top players in the conference and they’re now running a 6/2 allowing a two-prong attack that will overwhelm. Passing and Serving can be the great equalizer, but not in this one. Scituate in three.
(6) Mt. Hope at (3) Juanita Sanchez: I watch a lot of volleyball. College, high school, highlights of recruits, international, etc., are all on my weekly agenda for one reason or another. High School currently is the most amount of time, because I need to know what I’m talking about. Can’t be guessing when you’re writing weekly about a league. Have to see teams perform and see players do work. There is zero tape on Juanita Sanchez. I’ve tried. Full confession, for JS, I’ve relied strictly on coaches and referees to relay their information. I caught a quick video on local TV that featured three plays. Clearly that’s not enough to describe JS, but their record does speak for itself. Meanwhile, Mt. Hope is a pleasant surprise in the D3 world, winning twelve games, but the most recent time they saw JS…it was over quick. Sadly for Mt. Hope, I think that trend continues. JS in three.
(7) Johnston at (2) Central Falls: Bruiser A vs. last year’s Bruiser B! Central Falls has a Kaiju while Johnston has a strong core. So, whomever goes off is going to lead their team to victory. To this point, however, Central Falls has been better at getting things going. Johnston does have a puncher’s chance (for all you boxing fans out there…of which I am one as well), but I have this feeling that the Panthers will not be able to make enough plays nor pass well enough…but then again what do I know? I mean the last times these two teams met; it was a three-set sweep, but that doesn’t mean the Panther’s can’t catch lightening in a bottle. The Knights got it done, but they’ve also been stunned recently, meanwhile Johnston is on a three-match winning streak to get here. Still, CF feels right here. CF in four.
The Third Annual ResV Systems Charity All-Star Match is on June 15th at East Greenwich High School! 9:30am start for the Girls Match, 1:30pm start for the Boys Match. Over 50 student athletes participating! Fan games between sets three and four (Bounce Contest, Ace Jack Pincince, and more)!
Many Thanks to our Sponsors of the ResV All-Star Match…South County Volleyball Club, New England AAU, Lost Traveler, A+ Kettlecorn, Envy Volleyball Club, KG Podcast, and Lockdown Volleyball Club!
Playoff Predictions…
D3-
(1) Tolman/Shea vs. (4) Scituate - Too much vengeance for Scituate to handle as they fall in three.
(2) Central Falls vs. (3) Juanita Sanchez - JS shocks the Kaiju in four-sets!
(1) Tolman/Shea vs. (3) Juanita Sanchez - Story book finish for the boys from Pawtucket in four sets.
D2-
(1) Cranston West vs. (5) Westerly - Bulldogs own the Falcons in another four-set upset.
(2) Barrington vs. (3) East Providence - Eagles get scarred but escape this time…five sets.
(2) Barrington vs. (5) Westerly - Eagles own the Bulldogs in four.
D1-
(1) North Kingstown vs. (4) North Smithfield - This one goes five and somehow NK sorts it.
(2) Cranston East vs. (3) LaSalle Academy - Rams get their revenge from their regular season loss in four.
(1) North Kingstown vs. (3) LaSalle Academy - Skippers subdue the Rams with top tier serving. It lasts four sets.
Big Stat Games of the Week…
Jet Nascimento - Pin - Central - 21 kills, 25 digs vs. Westerly
Thanantkul Chan - Setter - Central - 37 assists, 10 digs vs. Westerly
Phirun Barn - Pin - Central - 11 kills, 8 digs vs. Westerly
Jack Kenyon - Pin - Westerly - 12 kills, 11 digs at Central : 34 kills, 26 digs vs. Cranston West
Brian Allen - Libero - Westerly - 15 digs at Central
Henry Kenyon - Middle - Westerly - 17 kills, 3 blocks vs. Cranston West
James Manfredi - Setter - Westerly - 54 assists, 7 kills, 5 digs vs. Cranston West
Chase Wycall - Pin - Westerly - 6 kills, 29 digs, 4 assists vs. Cranston West
Allen Suarez - Libero - Central - 19 digs vs. Westerly
Christian Mak - Pin - Cranston West - 9 kills, 2 blocks, 6 digs, 2 aces vs. West Warwick
Cam Kelley - Pin - Barrington - 13 kills, 4 aces, 6 digs vs. Woonsocket
Sang Min Park - Setter - Barrington - 36 assists, 4 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills vs. Woonsocket
Donovan Park - Pin - Barrington - 12 kills, 4 aces vs. Woonsocket
Quinlan Fahy - Middle - North Kingstown - 10 kills, 4 blocks, 4 digs at Chariho : 6 kills, 4 blocks vs. Hendricken
Ryan Harrington - Pin - North Kingstown - 13 kills, 6 digs, 2 aces at Chariho : 14 assists, 3 blocks, 3 aces, 3 digs, 8 kills vs. Hendricken
Cody Tow - Pin - North Kingstown - 14 kills at Chariho
Finn Kearney - Setter - North Kingstown - 41 assists, 3 digs, 3 blocks at Chariho
Chris Harvey - Pin - Cranston West - 19 kills, 4 blocks, 6 digs at Westerly
Christian Mak - Pin - Cranston West - 17 kills, 2 aces, 3 blocks, 8 digs at Westerly
Jordan Cunha - Pin - Cranston West - 15 kills at Westerly
Ashton Mak - Setter - Cranston West - 56 assists, 12 digs at Westerly
Jamilson Almeida - Pin - Central Falls - 16 kills, 4 aces, 3 digs vs. Times 2 : 33 kills, 3 aces, 12 digs at Scituate
Jovanny Lopez - Setter - Central Falls - 38 assists, 3 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs at Scituate
Ben Warr - Setter - Bishop Hendricken - 31 assists, 10 kills, 19 digs, 2 blocks vs. North Smithfield : 40 assists, 6 kills, 2 aces, 23 digs at South Kingstown
Santiago Harrington - Libero - Bishop Hendricken - 24 digs, 5 assists vs. North Smithfield
Ephraim Abhulime - Pin - LaSalle Academy - 16 kills, 4 aces, 3 blocks, 6 digs vs. Classical
Ty Cotta - Libero - LaSalle Academy - 19 digs vs. Classical
Connor Lewis - Middle - LaSalle Academy - 4 kills, 6 blocks vs. Classical
Kody Poplaski - Pin/S - Chariho - 14 kills, 15 digs vs. North Kingstown
Kasey Poplaski - Setter - Chariho - 33 assists vs. North Kingstown
Porter Fisher - Pin/S - Scituate - 15 kills, 15 digs and 17 assists vs. Central Falls
Mason Brown - Pin/S - Scituate - 17 kills, 16 digs and 11 assists vs. Central Falls
Austin Scotti - Pin - Toll Gate - 10 kills, 2 blocks vs. Tolman/Shea
Isaiah Bourgeault - Middle - Mt. Hope - 9 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces against Hope
Jordan Rodrigues - Pin - East Providence - 24 kills, 2 aces, 11 digs at West Warwick
Brandon Mimande - Pin - East Providence - 10 kills, 15 digs at West Warwick
Antonio Varela - Middle - East Providence - 12 kills, 3 blocks at West Warwick
Tapha Ndoye - Middle - Cranston East - 16 kills, 3 blocks at Coventry
Caleb Xum - Setter - Cranston East - 30 assists, 7 digs at Coventry : 35 assists, 7 digs at East Greenwich : 51 assists 10 digs, 3 kills, 3 blocks at Cranston West
Charles Pincince - Pin - Cranston East - 21 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces at East Greenwich : 18 kills, 6 digs at Cranston West
Carlos Lora - Pin - Cranston East - 11 kills, 16 digs at East Greenwich : 10 kills, 15 digs at Cranston West
Larry Yin - Libero - Cranston East - 18 digs at East Greenwich : 21 digs at Cranston West
Andrew Ramos - Middle - Bishop Hendricken - 12 kills, 6 blocks, 11 digs at South Kingstown
Ryan Yinn - Pin - Bishop Hendricken - 14 kills, 12 digs at South Kingstown
ResV Team of the Week…
Pin- Jordan Rodrigues (East Providence) - 24 kills on the road tends to be an indicator that a good week was had. Rodrigues has been the perfect complement to DJ Lepine and Loden Broe, giving EP a real chance at the cup.
Pin- Ephraim Abhulime (LaSalle Academy) - Is now good for 14 to 16 kills an outing on the pin, which is solid work from the big fella. I’ve been arguing that his impact would have been more in the middle, but at the end of the day E took the challenge and morphed into a decent pin in this league. Betting dollars to donuts he’s chomping at the bit to get back in the middle at the next level though.
Middle- Quinlan Fahy (North Kingstown) - Entering the final week of the regular season of his senior campaign, Q is better than ever. His blocking has shored up a possible blind spot for the top seed and this week he was tip top again both in blocks and scoring points.
Middle- Henry Kenyon (Westerly) - Though big brother is getting a lot of the attention in the state, Henry had himself a date against Cranston West. Should he be able to replicate that going forward in the playoffs, Westerly could be the most dangerous fifth seed in a long time.
Pin- Jamilson Almeida (Central Falls) - Win or lose, Jamilson is going to put up numbers. In the loss to Scituate, he put up 33 kills and numerous other stats that gave his side a change to win. He’s in a category of his own in D3, and joins Jack Kenyon and Jet Nascimento in terms of carrying the heaviest load offensively.
Setter- Ben Warr (Bishop Hendricken) - Warr continues to have monster matches in wins as well as defeats. His numbers in the loss to North Smithfield was ridiculous…31 assists, 10 kills, 19 digs, 2 blocks. Warr runs one of the more complex offenses in the state and is one of the top competitors as well.
Libero- Larry Yin (Cranston East) - The two pieces to the puzzle for CE that’s allowed them to flourish is Carlos Lora and Larry Yinn. Yinn has continued to be the lock down defender that the Bolts have leaned on in big matches and he didn’t disappoint this final week of the regular season.
ResV Top 15…
North Kingstown (17 - 1)
Cranston East (17 - 3)
North Smithfield (14 - 4)
LaSalle Academy (15 - 4)
Classical (10 - 8)
Barrington (13 - 4)
East Providence (14 - 4)
Cranston West (14 - 4)
Lincoln (12 - 4)
Westerly (9 - 7)
Bishop Hendricken (7 - 11)
East Greenwich (6 - 12)
Tolman/Shea (16 - 2)
Central Falls (15 - 2)
Juanita Sanchez (15 - 3)
Receiving Votes… Portsmouth, Mt. Hope, Toll Gate, Scituate, Chariho, Central, Johnston
ResV Player of the Week…
Week 1 - Spencer Warburton (East Greenwich)
Week 2 - Jack Kenyon (Westerly)
Week 3 - Charlie Pincince (Cranston East)
Week 4 - Ryan Harrington (North Kingstown)
Week 5 - Ben Warr (Bishop Hendricken) / James Men (Classical)
Week 6 - Tom Matchett (North Smithfield)
Week 7 - Jack Kenyon (Westerly) / Ephraim Abhulime (LaSalle Academy)
Week 8 - Jack Kenyon (Westerly) / Jet Nascimento (Central) / Caleb Xum (Cranston East) - Huge numbers and performances for Kenyon, Nascimento, and Xum this final week. Kenyon with a ridiculous 34 kill, 26 dig night against the CW. Nascimento’s dominate 21 kills, 25 digs performance to squash Westerly. Xum’s 117 assists on the week. Tough to choose one…so I didn’t.
ResV Honorable Baller of the Week…
Week 5 - Cam Dotter (Coventry)
Week 6 - Bill Gates (South Kingstown)
Week 7 - Masiah Prak-Preaster (Coventry)
Week 8 - Ivan Ramos (North Providence) - Mr. Ramos has had a strong season in his senior campaign. Playing on the left, he’s been an offensive force for his side as well as instrumental in creating a competitive vibe for a team that was only created a couple of years ago.
The ResV Season Award Finalists…
Note: Absolutely reserve the right to change my mind on these, especially if someone has incredible playoff performances.
D1:
Finalists for Player of the Year
—Ryan Harrington - Pin - (North Kingstown) - Few play bigger roles for their team then Harri. He’s a top passer, top defender, scores points at the net as good as anyone in the league, serves very tough, and has set and run a solid offense to success when called upon.
—Charles Pincince - Pin - (Cranston East) - The consistent big arm for the Bolts, Pincince has had a year and there is only more to come. His serving has been another key for the place CE finds themselves in.
—Tom Matchett - Middle - (North Smithfield) - In his senior campaign, no one has been able to stop Mr. Matchett in the middle. Clearly the top middle in the state this year, Tom’s accomplishments and stature has ensured a solid finish for his side night in and night out.
Finalists for Coach of the Year
—Jhamal Diggs (Cranston East) - Coach Diggs has his crew second overall after the regular season with the feel that perhaps this is their year to upend everyone.
—Josh D’Abate (North Smithfield) - With a cast full of college ready ballers, Coach D’Abate’s swan song from the RIIL may be his best yet.
—Brian Hesford (North Kingstown) - All Hesford and his crew do is create playoff ready teams that have a chance to win it. Can’t argue with any of that, and this year’s team feels like the team in 2021.
Finalists for Defensive Player of the Year
—Larry Yin - Libero - (Cranston East) - Is an absolute grinder on defense. Makes plays that are easy to difficult and has impressed with his passing.
—Quinlan Fahy - Middle - (North Kingstown) - Nobody, has had the net presence this year that Q has. Though the third or fourth option offensively, it has been his blocking that has changed matches. 12 blocks in a match, against a potential playoff opponent, setting the school record says it all.
—Stephen Dufour - Libero - (North Kingstown) - An absolute bulldog of a libero who makes all the plays needed and will stick his nose into swings that some would back away from. Passes pretty well and sets the second ball as good as anyone.
Finalists for Setter of the Year
—Caden Sullivan (North Smithfield) - Location is top tier and his setter attacks are real tough to deal with. Has kept his team together through some tough spots as well.
—Caleb Xum (Cranston East) - Has had a great season, when I thought he should be a lib. Serving has improved and his decisions are now where they should be, and the proof is in the win totals for his club.
—Ben Warr (Bishop Hendricken) - Runs the most complex offense in the state and has put up real good numbers all year. Arguably one of the top competitors as well.
Finalists for Newcomer of the Year
—Andrew Ramos - Middle - (Bishop Hendricken) - One of the top weapons on the Hawks side and has constantly improved along the way. Runs quicks exceptionally well already and serving has become a weapon.
—Dennis Dixon - Middle - (Cranston East) - Has come on strong in the second half of the season. Scores rather efficiently with a softer higher quick. Blocking has improved while the number of draws he gets has grown as well.
—Ryan Rathbun - Pin- (North Kingstown) - Another guy who has become a factor in the second half of the season. He’s got an arm and finishes plays as well as the team’s pins. Blocking is getting there too.
D2:
Finalists for Player of the Year
—Cam Kelley - Pin - (Barrington) - Bruiser of a pin with a big arm. Has handled the volume increase and does work out of the back row as well. Serve has come along and his passing is shored up now too.
—Jack Kenyon - Pin - (Westerly) - The complete package. He’s 6’6 and can do everything. Hits a heavy ball, can handle 50 sets a night, has shots, and can serve tough. Blocking is legit as well as his passing.
—Chris Harvey - Pin - (Cranston West) - Fell in love with him on the pin…so much so that I’m disappointed when he’s moved back to the middle. Has an electric arm and energy for days. Level has be strong all season.
Finalists for Coach of the Year
—Jenn Ferencko (Cranston West) - Finished the regular season the top seed and has her team thirsting for another crack at the title.
—Dan Cabral (East Providence) - Definite bumps at the beginning, Coach Cabral smoothed them out and now the Townies are looking like a spot at RIC is more likely than not.
—Lyndsey Sweeney (Lincoln) - Took over for a team that won the whole thing the year before and they still feel like a run is in them now. Being dangerous at this time of year is what every coach strives to do.
Finalists for Defensive Player of the Year
—Luke Van Ness - Libero - (Barrington) - The defensive anchor for the Eagles. Van Ness has also had a strong season passing the ball, as he’s been relied upon heavily this season.
—Jackson Colton - Middle - (Lincoln) - Coulton’s net presence has been a key cog in the Lion machine. Blocking has become a staple for him and ensures that opposing teams are unable to get going.
—Jet Nascimento - Pin - (Central) - Easily could be in the player of the year conversation, Jet is a digging machine. He secured 80% of the attacks that come his way and his block is nothing to laugh at either.
Finalists for Setter of the Year
—Loden Broe (East Providence) - One of the most consistent setters in D2, Broe seemed to have 30+ assists every night. He tracks down passes well and sets consistent targets for his attackers.
—Austin Noel (Lincoln) - Arguably the top attacking setter in the state for the way he can turn on a ball and give it a rip. He puts up a hittable ball and he is a competitor to the nines.
—Ashton Mak (Cranston West) - Mak’s setting has been a huge key as to why the CW is in such playoff shape. He consistently puts the ball in the same spot for his attackers. He’s not a bad defender as well.
Finalists for Newcomer of the Year
—Jordan Rodrigues - Pin - (East Providence) - As mentioned earlier, Rodrigues compliments as a pin and gave EP a one two punch that was hard to stop. His passing and serving game also improved throughout the season.
—Ashton Mak - Setter - (Cranston West) - When Ashton entered the scene for the Falcons, the offense took off and the opportunity to beat them was few and far between.
—Donovan Park - Pin - (Barrington) - The Eagles needed a pin to come in and be effective and Donnie Park heard the call and did the job. He has especially played well in the second half of the season.
D3:
Finalists for Player of the Year
—Jamilson De Pina Almeida - Utility - (Central Falls) - The monster of D3. We’ve seen big, talented athletes in D3 before, but we’ve not seen a guy like this. 6’5 and making shots, Jamilson has been fun or terrifying to watch depending on whether you're a fan or an opponent.
—Julio Correia - Pin - (Tolman/Shea) - Quietly having a premier year. While everyone raves about Jamilson, Porter, Scotti, and others, Correia keeps putting up numbers and winning games. One of the leaders of the Pawtucket revenge tour, Correia is not stopping till the cup is where it belongs.
—Porter Fisher - Setter - (Scituate) - Porter wasn’t on the radar early on, but now I can’t envision him not being in the mix. Solid setter, who does all the things good setters do. However, it’s the new role where he sets out of the back row and passes / attacks in the front row that is really impressive.
Finalists for Coach of the Year
—Steve Bevilacqua / Jeff Ramos (Tolman/Shea) - Bevi and Ramos are in year two of very strong teams in the D3 world. They probably should have won it last year, thus the revenge tour, but have also put their side in great shape to get it done in 2024.
—Rick Bozzer / Anthony Abeid (Juanita Sanchez) - Bozzer and Abeid have a nice young team that is in position to upset the apple cart in D3. It is not going to be a surprise if these guys are in the finals…as Restradamous predicts.
—Lisa Zabel (Portsmouth) - In only their second year of existence, Coach Zabel has her team in the playoffs with a decent seed. That really says it all.
Finalists for Defensive Player of the Year
—Jean-Lucas Barroso - Libero - (Tolman / Shea) - Barroso has been solid for the Pawtucket side. Passing and defending at a good level, he’s been a key factor in ensuring that their front line gets quality swings.
—Joel Tavares Depina - Libero - (Central Falls) - Doesn’t have to cover often, as Jamilson puts almost everything away, but has been a crucial piece to this impressive regular season run.
—Keanu Huertas - Libero - (Juanita Sanchez) - Lot of the pop on the JS side comes from the middles, which puts more emphasis on the Huertas play at the Lib spot. His passing and digging is huge so they can find those middles in transition.
Finalists for Setter of the Year
—Fernando Baptista (Tolman/Shea) - Runs a good offense for Pawtucket. Gets all of his hitters involved and has a good understanding when to find his horse(s).
—Jonathan Lopez (Juanita Sanchez) - One of the few seniors on this JS side. Finds his middles well and makes good plays on the ground. Has had a real nice regular season campaign.
—Porter Fisher (Scituate) - Every time I see Porter Fisher play, I think…Man, he’s bouncy and blocks so much better than I would think. He sets well too and has had a great season this year.
Finalists for Newcomer of the Year
—Jovanny Lopez - Setter - (Central Falls) - Lopez has the job of setting Jamilson, which is a nice job to have. However, there is more to him than that. He plays good defense and does find others with decent opportunities. Great year for the sophomore!
—Eliah Torres - Pin/Middle - (Juanita Sanchez) - Torres is a baller. He plays primarily middle for JS…does dabble on the pin from time to time…and is able to be highly effective at only 5’11. Blessed with bounce and armed with cunningness, Torres has been a premier factor for JS.
—Jack Casey - Middle - (Portsmouth) - Casey has had a strong year for Portsmouth generating kills for his side and being a solid presence at the net. Only a sophomore, there is plenty to come from Jack.
To send season updates, stories, and players to consider…or inquire about coffee beans that Coach roasts himself, to Coach Reslow - Scott.Reslow@protonmail.com
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