In the front, from left: Moe Grudic, Moe Niwash, Adam Szperlak, Corey Meyer and Tomasz Kaczynski. Middle: Daniel Alvarez, Ronak Pathak, Nicholas Cordi, Joey Beltran, Mahdi Masri, Parth Tailor and Greg Hasaj. Back: Hector Garcia, James Komar, Nick Lavender, Elvis Denieli, Patryk Kornecki and Vasil Martiko.
The Mustangs capped off their 2009 with another 20 win season, setting the streak at 12 in a row. But unlike other years, head coach Mike Doktor must go to his JV ranks to replace graduating talent. “We have an 18 man roster. That’s bigger than last year,” explained coach. “There’s a lot of new guys who really didn’t get time last year but will this year.” However, Doktor is confident that his younger players can step up and fill the holes. Luckily, he has three returning Varsity lettermen to build around: Seniors Corey Meyer (outside hitter) and Nick Lavender (setter), and Junior Elvis Daniele (outside hitter). Those three were integral pieces in the 2009 season, in which the Mustangs won their league for the ninth time in 11 years and made 56
April 2010 • Clifton Merchant
trips to the county final and the second round of states. With a number of first time players on the team, those returning lettermen must also act as mentors to new players. “We have a bunch from baseball and other sports that wanted to try volleyball this year, and they made the team,” said Doktor. While there is still a position battle going on for the open spots, Doktor said that athletes who played on both squads last year will likely become full time Varsity players. Defensive specialist is one of the deeper positions for the Mustangs, with a number of talented students competing for time. Junior Ronak Pathak played a bit with Varsity last year and will have the opportunity to win the spot. Seniors Patryk Cornecki and James Komar, as well as juniors Nick Cordi and Moe
CHS Boys
Volleyball Apr 1 Apr 5 Apr 5 Apr 5 Apr 7 Apr 8 Apr 9 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 26 Apr 28 Apr 30 May 3 May 5 May 8 May 11 May 12 May 14 May 18
at Bergen Tech Harrison Kearny Lincoln Wayne Valley Vernon at Memorial at Teaneck Fair Lawn Lakeland Regional HS Don Bosco Prep Clifton Invitational Tourn. at Passaic High School Garfield at Hackensack at Bergen Catholic Wayne Hills at Passaic Valley Wallington at PCCA VB Semi-finals PCCA VB Finals Passaic County Tech at Kennedy Eastside Paterson NJSIAA Tournament
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