By Eli Corenthal ’19

Photo by Sarah Maybruck ’18

As the Staples boys’ volleyball team gears up to finish their historic regular season, they begin another journey in hunt for a state title.

Led by four seniors, the team is poised for a deep run in the FCIAC and State playoffs later this month. Captains Sam Greenberg ’18, Stedman Van Arsdale ’18, Will Hotch ’18 and Luke Press ’18 have brought a new culture to Staples volleyball. Even after losing two seniors from last year’s team and ending with a 14-4 record, the current team has risen above expectations with an unprecedented 18-0 record.
“We’ve really brought the intensity and commitment to the next level,” Greenberg said. “We really believe we can accomplish our ultimate goal of winning FCIACs and States.”
This season’s success is not a surprise, “We’ve been waiting for this season for 3 years now,” Van Arsdale said. Through tough seasons and sub par playoff runs, it is time for these seniors to take home the hardware.

The Wreckers have dropped only two sets all year and they are the heavy favorite moving into the playoffs. “The target on our back gets bigger and bigger with each win so it’s important for us to keep playing like the number one team,” Dan Coh, head coach, said.

Consistency has been essential all season for the Wreckers and obtaining that consistency has been some younger guys stepping up. “Our setter Logan Carstens [’19] has really stepped up and is really important[…]. In practice, all of the underclassmen have stepped up as well and next year you can expect players like Theo Gabor [’19], Luke Roehm [’20], and Matthew Epstein [’20] to step up and fill the shoes of the seniors leaving,” Press said.

As the season unfolds the Wreckers close out an undefeated season. With playoffs right around the corner, the team is eager to win. “We are going to make sure that everyone stays energetic and focused,” Hotch said.