Despite graduation losses, Gateway boys volleyball confident in program’s strength

By: Brennan Valladares
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Roster turnover is expected in sports, especially at the high school levels. What isn’t expected is losing 14 seniors, including three first- and second-team all-star selections.

For Gateway boys’ volleyball coach Phillip Randolph, such was the case after last season. Combining the loss of familiar faces with jumping up in classification, one would predict a heightened number of question marks. While that is the case, Randolph’s confidence seems to be at an all-time high heading into the 2025 season.

“Heading into any new season, there is always an expected level of uncertainty, and this season is no different,” Randolph said. “The move into 3A ball definitely amplifies that a bit, but there is nothing that I have seen in myself or of my boys that suggests that we wandered into waters that are too deep for us to swim.”

When considering Gateway lost players such as Alec Dunsmore (first team Section-2-2A and second team all-WPIAL), Jace Beam (second team Section-2-2A) and Keagan Kyper (second team Section 2-2A) — who helped steal a set off eventual WPIAL Class 2A champion Mars in the second round of the playoffs last season — perhaps a less optimistic outlook would be expected.

But Randolph isn’t focused on how to replace talent like that. Rather, he focuses on building off it.

“From when I took over this position in the 2019 season, I haven’t compensated for a single player that I’ve lost to graduation,” Randolph said. “Every guy who has put on a uniform, put in the sweat, lost some skin and gained some scars has left not only big expectations on those that follow but also big fingerprints on this program — ones that have helped to transform us into a team that has made the playoffs in five of those past six years.

“No one is taking the spot of Alec or Jace or Keagan or any of the 11 other graduates. Instead, they’re doing right by them in picking up where these guys left off, and I freakin’ love that about these boys.”

Three players Randolph expects to step up in the all-stars’ absence are senior returners Darious Farrar (OH), Owen Echegaray (DS) and Tommy Nikou (S).

“From Darious, Owen and Tommy, I am expecting to see more of the same selfless, determined commitment that I’ve seen over the past three seasons. I am also expecting them to lead in a ‘do as I do’ not a ‘do as I say’ manner as they take full ownership of this being ‘their team.’ … In terms of senior leadership, I truly couldn’t ask for a better trio than these three.”

Outside of those returners, Randolph will have plenty of new faces to teach and grow with this year. In terms of hitters, Farrar is the only player with notable varsity experience.

“Other than Darious, we have an entirely new lineup of hitters,” he said. “On the outside and oppositional side, juniors Daniel Bozicevic, Toktobek ‘Tokyo’ Kubanychbekov and Aiden Coughran will all be stepping into major roles. In the middle, junior Chase Lewandowski and sophomore Donovan Shaffer will take the reins.”

Other newcomers expected to make contributions this season are senior defensive specialist Ethan Nguyen and sophomore setter Canyon Hines. The hope with Hines is to get him “some court time so that he’s entirely confident in taking the keys from Tommy (Nikou) once he graduates at the end of the year.”

Key contributors may have been lost to graduation last year, but Randolph’s belief in this year’s team hasn’t wavered. And it’s not blind faith. His assuredness stems from the culture of work he and his players have established over the last six years.

“This program has been built on the idea of working harder than the guys around us,” he said. “We aren’t necessarily the biggest or the fastest or the strongest team in the WPIAL, but we do have a few non-negotiables that have helped us to establish our identity: We don’t self-pity, we don’t point the finger at anyone else before we’ve pointed it at ourselves, and we don’t forget the sting of constantly being overlooked.

“These boys are here to work, and I’m confident that you’ll soon see that this isn’t just a talking point.”

Gateway (9-6, 5-5) finished Section 2-2A play last year in a four-way tie for second. After advancing to the second round of the WPIAL playoffs, it was eliminated by No. 1 Mars, 3-1.

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