Falcons get glimpse of the future
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff St. Joe’s John Moll sends a shot over the net during the Falcons’ GMC Tournament finals loss to East Brunswick on May 25.

METUCHEN — The St. Joseph High School boys volleyball team was afforded the chance to get a sneak peek at next year’s lineup when it steamrolled Lincoln in the opening round of the state tournament last week.

The Falcons (27-3) dominated the first game, winning handily by a 25-10 score. As a result, head coach Miguel Cabrita jostled his lineup and went with a roster of limited experience in the 25-21 win in the second game.

“The first game really wasn’t a competitive game as we cashed in on a lot of service points,” Cabrita said. “I went with mostly juniors in the second game in order to get an idea of what I have to work with come next season.”

Junior John Moll, a starting outside hitter on this year’s team, looks to be the lead weapon in next year’s campaign.

“John and Kurt Backlund are starters this year and should be key players for us in the future,” Cabrita said.

Junior setter Matt Scott got a taste of top notch competition at the Super Six Showdown last month. Scott was a last minute insertion into the starting lineup against powerhouse Bridgewater-Raritan and certainly held his own.

“Matt played one of his best games against Bridgewater,” Cabrita said. “He definitely has the ability and the potential to be a strong setter. He’s played in big matches and he did well. If he can maintain his focus and not allow distractions to get him, he should be a good one.”

Classmate Brent Nicoll should be the force in the middle next year. Nicoll registered four kills in the win over Lincoln.

“Brent felt his way around this year,” Cabrita said. “He’s a good athlete with a good work ethic. He should be a great addition to the lineup, assuming he keeps working.”

Cabrita is also impressed with Dave Deverin, an up and coming outside hitter. Deverin has seen some court time this year, but is expected to see plenty in 2006.

“Dave has been the heart of this year’s team,” Cabrita said. “He’s always cheering and pushing his teammates on. He’s growing into the game and he continues to get better.”

Alan Zastrow and Kirk Ditmars have been used as utility players this season and their ability to play several positions brings added depth to the Falcon lineup.

“Kirk has a lot of court experience from playing club ball all season,” Cabrita said. “As a result he doesn’t feel lost when I need to plug him into different situations.”

Joe Vastola, labeled the team’s “lefty-right side,” is learning from Brandon Kane. Kane is one of this year’s leaders and will leave big shoes to fill come the end of the season.

“Vastola has come a long way since his freshman year,” Cabrita said. “He’s been walking in Brandon Kane’s footsteps and learning along the way.”

Defensive specialists Joe Raviola and Chris Duggan also saw action versus Lincoln and took advantage of the court time to combine for eight digs in the win.

“Both Joe and Chris are ball control guys,” Cabrita said. “Chris really sacrifices his body on the court. At one point he had so many bruises it was becoming dangerous. He just smiled and said he’d start bruising the other side.”

You can bet all the Falcons were sacrificing their bodies when they took on Don Bosco Prep yesterday as state tournament action resumed.

“I got a chance to see Don Bosco play at Bridgewater,” Cabrita said. “They are fairly new to volleyball but I know their teams put everything they have into it. Momentum can always change but our guys are taking every game as if it’s the game.”