Derry boys volleyball aims to reach new ‘heights’

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 30, 2018 | 5:12 PM

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Derry's boys volleyball team has a big front line — and big expectations this season.

The Trojans reached the WPIAL Class AA semifinals in 2017 but hope for more this year with seven key returning players: Dom DeLuca, Jake Griffin, Jeff Perratone, Ethan Sellong, Matt Palombo, Nick Johnston and Zach Kochis.

The 6-foot-5 Sellong leads the front line, along with DeLuca (6-4) and Perratone (6-3).

“We consider ourselves a pretty big team,” Derry coach Shawn Spencer said. “That certainly helps us defensively. It takes away space other teams can attack into and can help make our defense in the back row a little better in addition to sealing off the net. It's a big luxury, and we just have to use that to our advantage.”

Derry used it to reach the WPIAL semifinals, where it lost to Beaver County Christian, 3-0. The Trojans rebounded to beat Ambridge, 3-1, in the consolation match. The team's season ended with a 3-0 loss to Cochranton in the first round of the PIAA tournament. Spencer hopes his team benefited from that experience, though.

“That's always important. It gets those guys a taste of what it's like and gives them the desire to get back there and improve on it,” he said. “I think the run helped them to see what it'll take for us to get back into contention and give them an idea of what they have to go through to make it happen. It was a good experience for all the guys coming back.”

Not all of the Trojans returned, though. Starters Damon Hammacher and Colton Nemcheck suffered season-ending injuries before volleyball season.

“I think we have guys who can fill in. Losing those two hurts, not only for the performance they could give on the court in games, but those two guys helped make practices pretty competitive and helped other players get better,” Spencer said. “It falls on the kids to be more internally motivated to push themselves now. I think it builds character dealing with all the adversity so early in the year. It makes the team grow a bit and fight through that stuff.”

In addition, Sellong is dealing with an injury but is expected to be back after missing a handful of matches.

“He's been out since the beginning of the season and should be back in a week or two. I am sure he'll push to get back into the lineup right away,” Spencer said. “For the most part, I have an idea of where kids are capable of helping the team out. Other guys will be pushing to get time. That creates good competition in practice.”

Another adjustment comes at setter where Nathan Marinchek takes over for Dan Brasili, who graduated.

“This will be his first varsity setting experience. He is coming along pretty nicely,” Spencer said. “It's a whole new pace for him, but he seems to be adjusting. He's still making some mistakes and things, but I expect him to keep getting better. If he is able to do that, I think we'll have a pretty great season.”

Senior Jake Griffin is the team's libero.

“His ball control and defensive skills really help us go,” Spencer said. “The other guys are all good hitters. They can score for us. If we can control the ball and pass well, I like our chances.”

The Trojans, ranked No. 3 in Class AA by the Western Pa. Volleyball Coaches Association, opened the season at the North Allegheny tournament.

“I was pretty happy with the way we played most of the day, overall,” Spencer said. “They got to see a lot of the teams in the mix and a lot of the good teams. They saw where they have to get to and saw they are not too far away. I think they know they can be better. We just have to put in the work and the time, and we'll have a good chance.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Derry Area