Fair Lawn Boys Volleyball Team Has Busy Start to Season

The boys volleyball team has a tough act to follow heading into the 2011 season—themselves.

The Cutters, who finished 32-5, the most single-season victories in the program’s history, steamrolled through the competition until dropping a close match against St. Peter’s Prep in the state semifinal.

But while Fair Lawn is well-equipped for another successful season, head coach Peter Zisa isn’t making any bold predictions.

“We had high goals but really gained confidence midway through last season so I want to see how this season works out,” said Zisa, noting that his returners will be teamed up with some new players with no varsity experience.

“It’s definitely a transitional process,” said Zisa. “The new players will need to gain confidence playing at varsity speed and against some tough competition.”

Zisa said he will be looking to Dan Nugent, last season’s Player of the Year among all North Jersey teams, to be both “leader and mentor” to the newcomers.

“Dan definitely has the volleyball skills but this will be a key role for him,” said Zisa.

Nugent led the team last year with 388 kills, was second in blocks (32) and service aces (30), and third in digs with 156.

Without question, he will be a player to watch. But the Cutters are not a one-man show, as shown by their impressive accomplishments last season, including a 32-5 record, second straight Bergen County title and runs through the state and prestigious Bloomfield tournaments.

Libero Oren Zyndorf will be called upon to set the stage.

“We’ll go as far as Oren can take us,” Zisa said. “Before making a big attack, we need a big pass or a big dig, and Oren can get that done for us.”

Seniors opposite hitter Josh Grossberg and setter Brian Toron both offer solid skills in supporting roles. Junior middle hitter Chris Colomier takes his last-season experience to the front line as blocker and big-time attacker, while opposite hitter Brandon Pascua and defensive specialist Luke St. John, also juniors, show versatility and athleticism. Nick Adams, a middle hitter with offensive prowess, and Chris Nugent, a defensive specialist who moves from the back row to a key offensive front man, are sophomores.

Rounding out the team are newcomer Alex Stoyko, a 6-4 sophomore with blocking potential; junior Josh Sarna, who has definite capabilities on defense; and sophomore back-up libero Charles Gigante, who Zisa said should see sporadic playing time.

Zisa, now in his fifth season, has amassed pretty impressive stats himself. The former all-State Hackensack High standout has amassed a 100-25 coaching record overall and 58-8 in his last two seasons with the Cutters. Zisa was named New Jersey’s Coach of the Year in 2010.

Fair Lawn last won the state title in 1995, and placed second in 1996 and 2004.

The Cutters open their season on Friday on the road against Wayne Hills. Match time is 4:15 p.m. The next morning they will compete in the Hillsborough High School Tournament with matches starting at 9 a.m.

Next week, Fair Lawn plays back-to-back home matches on Monday and Tuesday against Don Bosco and Bridgewater-Raritan, respectively, return home on Wednesday and travel again on Thursday.

“The schedule is grueling but we’ve had some strong prep time the last few weeks,” said Zisa.