After starting their season 0-3, the men’s varsity volleyball team has achieved a record of 24-8. Head coach Tim Monahan attributes these losses to the team’s transition period between setters.
“We had one setter for a long time, and so this year we have a new setter going,” Monahan said. “There’s always a little adjustment there. Since we’ve made that adjustment, the guys have responded well.”
South won the City Suburban Showdown and then went on to take third place out of 24 teams in the Downer’s Grove South Tournament.
The team has been streaky this year, according to senior center Peter Rafalo, who attributes this to the players’ mindsets.
“We just have to believe in ourselves, as cliché as that sounds,” Rafalo said. “I don’t think we’ve played to our full potential yet.”
According to Monahan, Rafalo, Charley Tisch, senior outside hitter, and junior setter Matt Kaiser are the team’s top players this season.
“Our strength is that we’re not just one player,” Monahan said. “We are six players strong.”
According to Monahan, the main offensive weapons are Tisch, Rafalo, Kaiser, senior outside hitter Drew Maki, senior middle Troy Farsakian and junior outside hitter Will Kozloski.
According to Rafalo, improvement is needed most in the team’s defense.
“[Our defense] has been getting better,” Rafalo said. “We’ve been working a lot on it, especially at the net.”
According to Monahan the team’s biggest competition was Maine South and New Trier.
They faced Maine South in the Downer’s Grove South tournament and came out with a 2-0 victory. Against New Trier, the squad won its match at home in 2 sets and won on the Trevian’s home court in 3 sets.
The team then clinched the Conference title after a victory over Waukegan. From there, the Titans began preparing for the playoffs.
On May 22, South beat Von Steuben in two games (25-13, 25-17) to get to the Regional Title game on May 23.
However, Monahan’s ultimate goal is to be playing into next week, where they will look to repeat their success from a decade ago.
“Ultimately, our goal is to be playing on Tuesday in the sectional championship, which we have not done since 2003 when we won the state championships,” Monahan said.
