Follow the Leader: Seidel Takes Charge for Knights

Alexis Seidel has become a sort of motherly figure for the West Essex girls volleyball team.

The senior and three-year starter is usually the last player to leave practice to ensure that all of her teammates have been picked up safely.

It's the kind of leadership seventh-year coach Andrea Mondadori is counting on after losing five seniors from last year's team that went 23-6 overall and 15-1 in the league en route to the Super Essex Conference's Liberty Division title.

"She's an excellent all-around player and student," said Mondadori, whose team reached the Essex County Tournament semifinals before losing to eventual champ Caldwell. "The kind of kid that makes sure that every single person in the program is fairly treated."

Sophomore Schuyler Gardner, who has played club volleyball throughout the year, has also emerged as a leader well beyond her years on the court.

"You'll see her name pop up as a standout player," Mondadori said.

The Knights, who open the season Saturday at home against Secaucus, will also count on junior libero Maria Picariello. Also back are seniors Kathyrn Picardo, Brittany Dirienzo, Sydney Applewhite and Kristen Lipari, along with junior Dora Kikianis and Natalia Zak and sophomores Alexa Dirienzo, Abbey Rollins and Lu Grazioso.

Mondadori is assisted by Bill Humes, the former head coach at Passaic Valley High School before coming to West Essex. The two coaches took over the program in 2004. Humes is also the head girls basketball coach at Caldwell High School and the head boys volleyball coach at West Essex in the spring.

Mondadori is anxious to see what players emerge this season.

"We have a lot of returning juniors with a ton of experience and a ton of talented sophomores, so it will be interesting to see who wants to play," said Mondadori, who is eight wins shy of 100. "It's still very early in the season, but I'm anxious to see who is going to surprise us."