J-DHS Boys Volleyball Is Back

They’re big, tall, and better than ever. They’re back for revenge after a 0-15 season last year. They are the Jamesville-DeWitt High School Varsity Boys Volleyball team. With senior returners such as Adam Goss, Walker Masiclat, T.K. Smith and Brad Siegel, along with new power players such as Jesse Evensky and Tom Lukow, the team is looking to have a promising season. “We are full of athletes,” says senior Jesse Evensky. “And we only have one player who hasn’t really played before.” Evensky is coming back to volleyball after a break last year when he went to Spain. Senior Tom Lukow played his sophomore year and is coming back from a recovery year due to a knee injury. “What is going to make us exceptional this year is the chemistry that this eclectic group of kids we have brings,” said Lukow.

The team is loaded with experienced players and is looking to have a much better run this year. “Our strength is going to be our hitting this year,” says Evensky. “Historically, J-D has always had a lot of big hitters, but we usually have to deal with a tough schedule,” says Eugene Sul, head coach of the Varsity Boys Volleyball and chemistry teacher at J-DHS. “Last year, the strength of our schedule was extremely tough,” says Mr. Sul. “Nine out of the 15 teams we played went on to the sectional final of their season, and even our non-league matches were tough.” They team also lacked a lot of senior starters. “We had a decent team, just not very experienced,” says Mr. Sul. “We ended up having a lot of first time players and only a few senior starters. We’ve struggled the last three seasons,” Mr. Sul says. “The last time we made sectionals was about three years ago with senior players such as Mac Keefhus, Jeff Sciera, and Nick Buniak.”

So how is the team looking to turn around this year? “The nucleus is in place,” says Mr. Sul. “Everyone is a year more experienced at this level. It has been the first time in a while that I’ve had good continuity with returning varsity players,” says Mr. Sul. “With the normal proportions of seniors, I usually lose a few key players every year.”

“What’s going to be huge for us this year is Jesse Evensky,” Mr. Sul adds. “What he lacks in volleyball experience he makes up for with sheer athleticism. He’s going to be a player that can pretty much be put anywhere and will likely play all six rounds of rotation,” Mr. Sul says.

With a solid squad in place, Mr. Sul is hesitantly optimistic for the upcoming season. League strengths shift every year, and while J-DHS has grown much stronger, several other competing schools in the league have lost a number of seniors and key starters. The reason Mr. Sul remains cautious is because the schedule and league matches remain tough. “Living Word lost one of their most dominant players, but they’re good every year. Chittenango has lost several players, but they’re still very tough. The same goes for Oneida and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill,” says Mr. Sul.

“In spite of the optimism I have for the season, there’s really no one we can look past,” says Mr. Sul. “Even if it doesn’t come together, it’s still exciting for me,” says Mr. Sul about the upcoming season. “Game days are always exciting for me.”

The varsity team had their first game Jan. 3 against Chittenango, which they won 3-2 in resounding comeback fashion. They lost against Living Word but beat Oneida 3-0 fairly easily, bringing them to a current 2-1 record. They are looking to take on powerhouse VVS at home Thursday, Jan. 12. With more challenges to come but a very able squad, the J-DHS Varsity Boys Volleyball team may be looking to bring the noise this year.