Boys Volleyball: Farmingdale 2011 Preview

The 2011 Farmingdale boys volleyball team is looking to get its game together as the fall season progresses, with an eye toward hitting their stride and making the playoffs.

An impressive mix of experienced and young players, the Dalers are "still young but improved,” said second year head coach Rich Zeidler. “Compared to last year, it’s much more of a veteran team. A mix of seniors with freshmen and sophomores. That’s good for the young people, they get to play with people with experience," he said.

The team, which only last year made the move from spring to fall ball, nly mustered a couple of wins in 2010, with a squad that had virtually no varsity experience to work from.

With a year under their belt, 2011 looks somewhat different. “This team has a high ceiling, and hopefully we can have a very successful season,” said Zeidler. “But we play a pretty tough schedule -- the best volleyball in Nassau County. We have to go through Massapequa, Plainview, Syosset and Port Washington twice each.”

Last Season: 2 wins overall

Coach: Rich Zeidler, second year

Top Players:

• Matt DiCarlo, junior, attack
• Tim Barclay, sophomore, setter
• Andrew Hass, senior, setter
• Jordan Merchan, senior, captain

Position Breakdown:

The Dalers will likely be led by a junior attack man, Matt DiCarlo, all conference last year as a sophomore and a four sport high school athlete (in addition to volleyball, he competes in lacrosse and basketball, as well as the high jump).

The team offense is led by setters Tim Barclay, a sophomore, and Andrew Hass, a senior. Additional strength on offensive attack comes from two seniors, Pierre St. Simon and Eric Kennedy.

Meanwhile team captain Jordan Merchan, who plays all around, will be supported on the back line by talented ninth grader Scott DiPalo and Christian Kalinowski, a senior.

Expectations:

“Our goal is to be in the playoffs, but we’d like to be in the upper six,” said coach Zeidler. “We’d also be top form. The chemistry has to come together before the playoffs, but I’m glad to say we’re getting better each practice. We’ll be ready Oct, 31.”

Zeidler has another goal for his team, too: scholar athlete recognition. “We were an all scholar athlete team last year,” he said. “Hopefully we can continue that tradition this year.”

Along the way, expect the kind of excitement and high energy fans of volleyball hope for.

“People will definitely see a lot of high impact offense from our hitters,” said coach Zeidler. “If we get our passing game together and the two setters can put the ball right on target, it’ll be a hard hitting affair. Especially against the teams we’re playing. Expect to see a lot of kills, blocks and spikes.”

Key Games:

• Sept. 12 Farmingdale @ Massapequa, 5 p.m.
• Sept. 16 Farmingdale @ Plainview JFK, 6:30 p.m.
• Sept. 22 Port Washington @ Farmingdale, 6:30 p.m.