By John Orrell, Contributing Writer
Region – Turnover and transition are inherent in high school sports, and perhaps the one program feeling the tide turning the most this year is the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School varsity volleyball team.
2015 was a breakout year for Aztec volleyball. A 13-3 record, and a 10-0 Colonial Athletic League record that resulted in the school’s first-ever league championship were season highlights. Some exciting action took place both at home and away, but a massive exodus due to graduation and other factors have resulted in the departure of seven players from last year’s team. Sixth-year head coach Ralph Grasso has filled spots, but with younger and less experienced talent. His 2016 squad consists of no seniors, a pair of juniors and nine sophomores, none of whom have had any varsity experience.
Despite the youth movement in full swing, the team’s record is a respectful 2-2 following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of host Worcester Technical High School April 13. Tech is a powerhouse sitting with an undefeated record at this early stage of the season. Assabet looked for a time to have the upper hand, leading 22-17 in the first set before things began to come apart.
“We didn’t set well and our passing game wasn’t very good,” Grasso admitted. “We were in this in the first game and we let them back in. We were up 22-17 and when we lost it, you could see the air come right out of our sails and you could see them (Tech) pick right up. I think if we had won that game, it could have been a different outcome.”
“We were doing well but we kind of relaxed at the end,” said junior co-captain Nick DaCosta in agreement with his coach. “Tech is a really good team. We’re helping each other out and learning. It’s a matter of getting used to each other as teammates and communicating well. We have to learn to relax and focus on the game and not look at the scoreboard and pretend it’s zero-zero all the time.”
The 2016 team will be led by co-captains DaCosta and sophomore Jared Rego, both middle setters. Other starters include junior Barry White (weak-side hitter) and sophomores Eduardo Prudencio (outside hitter), Colton Hoyoak (outside hitter) and Adirson Dos Santos (weak-side hitter).
Others projected to see ample court time are sophomores Steve Ebers, Carlos Rodriguez and Danny Tovar, as well as freshmen Silas Dias and Reggie Warren. Ebers and Warren will provide reinforcements on the front row while Dias, Tovar and Rodriguez and will slide into the back row as needed.
“After winning the championship last year, we’re pretty much regrouping starting from scratch,” Rego said. “But we’re all going to get better. The guys on the team make doing this fun. When it comes to the games we play great and stay positive and we get the job done. Last year was my first year playing and the entire team instantly became friends. It’s a great group of guys and that’s what you need on a successful volleyball team.”
“The kids get along fabulously and one of the things I said to them when we got down today was to have fun out there,” said Grasso, who is also the Aztecs’ varsity basketball coach. “When you have fun, you’re going to play better. Put the score aside because this year isn’t all about winning, it’s getting the chemistry and bonding and having a good time out there. Because when you have a good time and you’re energetic, you play better.
“They’re a great group of kids and the fact that they’re so young and talented is what I like most. The future looks bright for sure.”