Renewed optimism for Gateway boys volleyball team

By: William Whalen
Friday, March 22, 2019 | 7:41 PM

Three new coaches in three seasons, temporary leadership and a lack of consistency took their toll on the Gateway boys volleyball program.

With the arrival of first-year coach Phil Randolph, those days seem to be over. Couple that with Gateway dropping from Class AAA to AA, and, for the first time in a while, there’s plenty to be excited about.

“Fortunately for me, I’m a teacher here as well,” said Randolph, who coaches the Gators girls in the fall. “They know that I’m invested, and they know we’re willing to work. There is some light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Randolph boys volleyball era started with the girls team. Last summer, he invited the boys team to work out with the girls during open gyms. The move made perfect sense.

His boys team wasn’t there to scrimmage the girls. Randolph wanted his new team to learn his terminology and get a taste of his expectations.

Randolph kept his boys team together as much as he could during the girls season, too. The two programs are united to help one another. It’s Gator simpatico.

“They came in over the summer and worked out with the girls team,” Randolph said. “If we can work some elements from the girls game into the boys game, we can get a leg up.”

Randolph also wanted to see what he had to work with. After all, he had a huge hole to fill after the graduation of standout John Paul Kromka.

As it turns out, the most logical choice to replace Kromka was his brother, freshman Will Kromka, who is expected to start at outside hitter and move to middle hitter as the season moves forward.

“Will Kromka has some big shoes to fill,” Randolph said. “He has already started off in the right direction and is living up to the family name.”

Junior Connor McCune will start at libero. Junior Jared Gable will see time at setter and opposite hitter. Randolph is excited to see what Gable can do.

“(Gable’s) played competitively for many years,” Randolph said. “He’s a 6-foot-3, lanky guy.”

Juniors Emaad Kahn and Armaan Virk, along with 6-5 Cameron Guy round out the starters. Randolph also praised senior Joe Dormer’s play during the preseason.

“We have some big boys,” Randolph said. “I don’t have many little guys at all. In the look alone, aesthetically, it’s a good deal.”

What also is a good deal is Class AA. For years, Gateway got lost in Class AAA. There was a collective sigh of relief when Gateway dropped down to compete with teams in its weight class. The Gators finished last season with a 2-12 record and in a three-way tie for last place in Section 3-AAA. The Gators’ two wins came against Penn Hills and Plum.

“I think it’s a nice,” Randolph said. “It’s a way to breathe a little bit easier for some of the guys who have been around. I think the realignment of the section will give us some confidence.”

Gateway will be competing in Section 2-AA with Deer Lakes, Derry, Mars, North Catholic, Obama Academy and Summit Academy. Deer Lakes, Derry, North Catholic and Obama Academy reached the 2018 postseason, with Deer Lakes losing in the semifinals and Derry losing 3-2 to Ambridge in the finals.

The Gators will open the regular season March 26 at North Catholic before the home section opener March 28 against Mars.

“I’m looking at a group of guys here who are anxious,” Randolph said. “They belong on the court here. It’s been a long time coming. With the leaders that we have here now, with this group, and consistency in place, there’s a lot to feel good about.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway