Despite the loss of several key starters to graduation from his successful 2010 team, long-time Livingston volleyball coach Al Partelow is excited about the prospects for 2011.
The reasons why? The junior varsity squad finished undefeated last year, a few members of the basketball team decided to try their hand at volleyball and, of course, talented sophomore Kyle Rulka.
“We lost a good amount,” Partelow said. “Our go-to player, hitter Billy Williams, another hitter, our setter, almost all of our middles and our opposite all graduated. But I’m cautiously optimistic. Rulka is legit. Alan (Friedman) can jump through the roof. We have some players.”
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Rulka, the projected centerpiece for what figured to be a rebuilding campaign after a 23-3 season a year ago, will return to his position as a middle hitter and move up to become the team’s go-to player. He had six kills in a 2-0 opening day victory over East Orange on Friday.
His supporting cast was bolstered when Alan Friedman and J.J. Schneiderman, both members of the basketball team, decided to join the volleyball squad. Friedman will be a starting middle hitter.
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A few other returning starters, and a several newcomers from that perfect jayvee group, give Partelow the depth he needs. Returning setter Steven Birnbaum, a senior, will be in the staring lineup again this season and junior Jayson Patel, a backup opposite in 2010, will become the starter. Libero Ed Jung, who broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore, will remain there for his senior campaign. Seniors Dave Lee and Jeremy Muhlfielder, both outside hitters, will be instrumental in the team’s success this season.
Last season, LHS lost in the Essex County Tournament finals and reached the semifinals of the North Jersey, Section 2 tournament, where it bowed to Bayonne, 2-1. It did, however take the Super Essex Conference American Division regular season title.
This season, the Lancers will take part in the Bloomfield Tournament on April 9, a quad meet at Eastern on April 16 and hold the Lancer Invitational in Livingston on April 30. In between it will play a key dual meet against Bridgewater-Raritan at home on April 15 at 4 p.m. and travel to Flemington to face Hunterdon Central in a dual meet on April 21 at 5:30.
“We’ll be competitive if the new players gel,” Partelow said. “Experience is the one thing that they’re lacking, but if everyone plays to their potential, we should be good.”
