CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three experienced seniors are back to lead Cherry Hill East, including Calvin Chan, the starting libero last year. He had a team-high 303 digs to go with 143 service points and 22 aces. Senior outside hitter Anthony Ng recorded 72 kills and will be asked to step up offensively following the graduation of the top three finishers on the team. The third key returner is senior defensive specialist Dhwani Patel, who finished with 127 digs and 53 service points. Senior Saraubh Shah could take over the starting setter position, and other returners hoping to play expanded roles are junior middle blocker Jack Connor, junior outside hitter Will Quay and junior defensive specialist Kevin Ng.
OUTLOOK: The Cougars won 17 matches and reached the South Jersey quarterfinals for the second consecutive year last spring. If some of their newcomers develop to support the veterans, this should be another winning season.
CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill West graduated a strong senior class but is happy to welcome back senior middle blocker AJ Mann, who was second on the Lions in kills and blocks and was rewarded with all-conference second-team recognition. He will be a key player offensively and defensively, as will senior middle Aldrin Bustonera, a very strong blocker who is the team’s emotional leader. Cole Johnson is a returning junior expected to contribute, and sophomore Oscar Ke will also play a bigger role.
OUTLOOK: Mann and Bustonera will look to keep the Lions moving in the right direction following a 6-16 record in 2018.
CLEARVIEW PIONEERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Minh Christensen has played a variety of roles throughout his career at Clearview but emerged as an offensive force in 2018, as he led the Pioneers with 189 kills to go with 20 blocks and 132 digs. He earned all-conference first-team honors and is poised for a big senior season. Other key seniors are middle blocker Dylan Beer, who had 179 kills and 161 digs, and libero Jack McEvoy, who had 260 digs and made the all-conference second team. Junior Ethan Miller (385 assists) returns as the starting setter and other contributing juniors are Zane Martin (34 kills, 101 digs) and Zack Braun (19 kills, 16 blocks). Senior Hunter Lewis and juniors Alex Daly and Ben Saporto hope to have an impact as well.
OUTLOOK: The Pioneers went 8-14 during a rebuilding season last year. With an experienced team returning, new head coach Steve Asay is hoping to improve on that mark.
EASTERN VIKINGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Eastern suffered key losses to graduation but is happy to welcome back setter Andrew Tang. The senior had 310 assists last year and his experience will be crucial as the Vikings work in new offensive weapons. Senior Jaspreet Singh had 25 kills and could emerge as a force, and other veteran leaders are seniors Jainit Patel (90 digs) and Jaydeep Dave (23 digs). Other returners expected to contribute are seniors Akhil Kundu and Kelvin Tai and juniors Justin Baker, Brian Noh and Parth Shah.
OUTLOOK: After finishing with an 11-12 record in 2018, the Vikings expect to remain competitive as usual despite a lot of new faces in the lineup.
KINGSWAY DRAGONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: A stellar senior class graduated for Kingsway, including twotime South Jersey Player of the Year Jake Martin and three other all-conference members. Leading the returners is senior opposite Rob Thomas, who was third on the Dragons with 140 kills and had 24 blocks. He should become the focal point of the offense. Junior middle blockers Carter Tran and Nick Poulson were also key pieces of the rotation last year, and Tran will look to transition to outside hitter. Senior Ronan Harkins has experience at setter and could step into the starting role. Other contributors are senior defensive specialist Alec Emmi and and junior outside hitter Matthew Lunsk. Several top JV players are also expected to step up and fill the voids on varsity. OUTLOOK: Last year’s senior class completed a terrific run by going 25-6 with the Olympic Conference American Division title, the Gloucester County championship and a berth in the sectional semifinals. The Dragons might not be at the same level this year but the program has established itself as one of the best in the area.
MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: A solid core is in place for Moorestown, including senior libero Marc Takla, a three-year starter who led the Quakers in digs last year. Senior outside hitter Luke Dobbs was among the team leaders in kills as a junior and should spark the offense, while junior Dov McGuire-Berk is another key returner on the outside and senior Robert Fletcher is an important piece both offensive and defensively at middle blocker. Sophomore Logan Jagodzinski will contribute at middle blocker as well, and three-year setter Zach Kelleher, a senior, will once again orchestrate the attack.
OUTLOOK: The Quakers improved by 10 wins from the year before, posting a 19-12 record and reaching the sectional quarterfinals last spring. This is shaping up as another successful campaign.
PAUL VI EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three all-conference players are back to lead Paul VI, including first-team outside hitter Aidan Jones, who was second on the Eagles in kills and should be the focal point of the offense. Senior setter Chris Cornforth has been a key player since his sophomore year and will once again direct the attack after making the all-conference second team. Junior defensive specialist Ben Trauger also made the second team and senior Gavin Petersen returns as the starting libero. Senior Cole Silvey is back as a starting middle blocker and junior Sam Raymo will also contribute at the position. Senior Paul Brooks and junior Nate Vanatta will also push for playing time.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles have a strong nucleus returning from a 5-15 squad and it would not be surprising to see them contend for a winning record.
WASHI NGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Washington Township is paced by a strong senior class that includes outside hitter Brett Guetens, an outstanding athlete who was second on the team with 158 kills and 99 service points last year. Senior middle blocker Kade Cornelius is an imposing figure at the net who had 70 kills and 21 blocks and senior opposite Marco Santos is another veteran who will contribute offensively. Senior Anthony LaSalle (219 digs, 91 service points) is back as the starting libero and senior Mike Mulvihill is a key returner at defensive specialist. Junior Ryan Cleary saw time as a sophomore and will also look to have an impact. Sophomore Tyler Jones is a promising newcomer who was the JV setter as a freshman and plans on handling that role on the varsity squad for the next three years.
OUTLOOK: The Minutemen reached the sectional and county semifinals in 2018 and finished with a 17-7 record, their third straight season of double-digit wins. They will look to extend that streak and are aiming to claim conference and county titles to match the Washington Township girls’ accomplishments from the fall.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES
CHERRY HILL
EAST COUGARS
4/1 at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
4/3 vs. St. Augustine, 3:45 p.m.
4/5 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
4/9 vs. Kingsway, 4 p.m.
4/10 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/11 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
4/13 at Eastern Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
4/15 at Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
4/16 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
4/20 Quad match at Kingsway, 10 a.m.
4/25 at Clearview, 5:30 p.m.
4/29 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
5/1 at Camden, 3:45 p.m.
5/3 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
5/4 vs. Cherry Hill West, 2 p.m.
5/6 vs. Williamstown, 4 p.m.
5/8 vs. GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
5/9 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
5/13 vs. Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
5/14 at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
5/16 at Kingsway, 5:30 p.m.
CHERRY HILL
WEST LIONS
4/1 vs. Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
4/3 at GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
4/6 at Moorestown Tournament, 8 a.m.
4/9 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
4/12 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
4/17 vs. Camden, 3:45 p.m.
4/23 at Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
4/29 vs. GCIT, 3:45 p.m.
4/30 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
5/1 vs. Williamstown, 4 p.m.
5/3 at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
5/4 at Cherry Hill East, 2 p.m.
5/8 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
5/9 at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
5/10 at Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
5/13 vs. Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
5/14 vs. Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
5/16 at Camden, 3:45 p.m.
5/17 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
CLEARVIEW
PIONEERS
4/1 at Paul VI, 5:15 p.m.
4/2 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
4/3 vs. Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 vs. Washington Township, 5:15 p.m.
4/6 at Moorestown Tournament, 8 a.m.
4/8 vs. GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
4/16 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
4/23 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 5:15 p.m.
4/24 at Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
4/25 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:30 p.m.
4/29 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/30 at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
5/1 at Woodrow Wilson, 5:15 p.m.
5/3 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
5/6 vs. St. Augustine, 5:15 p.m.
5/8 vs. Camden Academy Charter, 5:15 p.m.
5/9 at Cherry Hill East, 4 p.m.
5/10 vs. Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
5/13 at Eastern, 4 p.m.
5/14 at Camden, 4 p.m.
5/17 at Gloucester County Tournament, TBA
EASTERN
VIKINGS
4/1 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
4/3 at Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 vs. Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
4/8 vs. Camden, 3:45 p.m.
4/11 vs. Williamstown, 4 p.m.
4/13 Eastern Invitational, 8 a.m.
4/15 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
4/16 at Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
4/17 vs. St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
4/23 vs. GCIT, 10 a.m.
4/24 Tri match at Pennsauken, 10 a.m.
4/25 at Washington Township, 10 a.m.
4/27 Quad match at home, 9 a.m.
4/29 vs. Kingsway, 4 p.m.
5/1 at Paul VI, 3:45 p.m.
5/3 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
5/7 vs. Washington Township, 3:45 p.m.
5/8 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
5/9 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
5/13 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
5/16 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
KINGSWAY
DRAGONS
4/1 at GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
4/3 vs. Eastern, 5:15 p.m.
4/8 vs. Paul VI, 5:15 p.m.
4/9 at Cherry Hill East, 4 p.m.
4/10 vs. Washington Township, 5:15 p.m.
4/15 at Camden, 3:45 p.m.
4/16 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/23 vs. Cherry Hill West, 5:15 p.m.
4/24 vs. Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
4/25 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
4/29 at Eastern, 4 p.m.
5/4 vs. Old Bridge, 9 a.m.
5/6 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
5/8 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 5:15 p.m.
5/10 at Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
5/13 vs. Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
5/14 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
5/16 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:30 p.m.
5/17 vs. St. Augustine, 5:15 p.m.
MOORESTOWN
QUAKERS
4/3 at West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 at Cinnaminson, 3:30 p.m.
4/6 Moorestown Tournament, 8 a.m.
4/12 vs. Collingswood, 5:15 p.m.
4/15 vs. Rancocas Valley, 5 p.m.
4/17 at Pennsauken, 3:30 p.m.
4/18 at Sterling, 4 p.m.
4/23 at Burlington City, 10 a.m.
4/25 at ACIT, 12:15 p.m.
4/29 vs. ACIT, 5 p.m.
4/30 vs. Cinnaminson, 3:30 p.m.
5/2 vs. Burlington City, 5 p.m.
5/6 at Collingswood, 5:15 p.m.
5/9 vs. Sterling, 5 p.m.
5/10 at West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 5:15 p.m.
PAUL VI
EAGLES
4/1 vs. Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
4/5 vs. Camden Academy Charter, TBA
4/8 at Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
4/9 at GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
4/13 at Eastern Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
4/15 vs. St. Augustine, TBA
4/16 vs. Salem County Tech, 5:15 p.m.
4/23 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/25 at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
4/29 at Woodrow Wilson, 5:15 p.m.
5/1 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
5/2 at Salem County Tech, 5:15 p.m.
5/3 at Camden Academy Charter, TBA
5/6 vs. Camden, TBA
5/7 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 5:15 p.m.
5/8 at Washington Township, 4 p.m.
5/9 vs. Cherry Hill West, 5:15 p.m.
5/10 vs. GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
5/13 at Cherry Hill West, 5:15 p.m.
5/14 vs. Cherry Hill East, 5:15 p.m.
5/15 vs. Pennsauken Tech, 5:15 p.m.
5/16 vs. Burlington City, 4 p.m.
WASHINGTON
TOWNSHIP
MINUTEMEN
4/1 at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
4/4 vs. Sterling, 3:45 p.m.
4/5 at Clearview, 5:15 p.m.
4/8 vs. Woodrow Wilson, 3:45 p.m.
4/10 at Kingsway, 5:15 p.m.
4/12 vs. St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
4/15 at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
4/16 vs. Cherry Hill East, 4 p.m.
4/17 at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.
4/23 vs. Camden, TBA
4/25 vs. Eastern, 10 a.m.
4/29 at Pleasantville, 4 p.m.
5/1 at GCIT, 5:15 p.m.
5/3 vs. Clearview, 4 p.m.
5/6 vs. Kingsway, 4 p.m.
5/7 at Eastern, 3:45 p.m.
5/8 vs. Paul VI, 4 p.m.
5/10 at St. Augustine, 4 p.m.
5/13 at Cherry Hill East, 3:45 p.m.
5/14 at Cherry Hill West, 3:45 p.m.
5/16 vs. Williamstown, 3:45 p.m.
5/17 at Gloucester County Tournament, TBA
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 11 (January 2019).
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