Week Seven: Rounding Third and Heading for Home.
5/19/25
Your attitude on a task is everything…
I can explain this best with my career in sports as a player.
The background…
I grew up in Pennsylvania and with my size and athletic ability was put on a path toward sports. I played football, basketball, and baseball till high school and was deemed quality at each. Volleyball was taught is gym classes in Pennsylvania, as all sports were (envision my 6’2 frame in middle school learning and trying to compete in field hockey!), but I was brought up in the big three. Hockey wasn’t really a thing in Pennsylvania where I lived, but we all sat down when we could to watch the Flyers try to kill someone.
Each level of play, I did well enough to be moved up. Each move up meant more competitions and more nice things being said about me. It’s sort of an interesting loop. Identified as talent. Exceed in your age group. Move up. Get special attention and nice things said about you. Confidence grows. Exceed again. More of the same…
When we moved to another part of Pennsylvania in the middle of my middle school years, this pattern accelerated. Again, I was identified as a talent. The loop began again, though this time it was more intense. I had people asking if I could stop other sports to focus on one, or maybe two, specific sports. I ended up relenting, and gave up football as by that time I had stretched to 6’4 and was pretty thin.
Basketball and Baseball still remained. My first year of high school was tremendous. I was being brought on as the top freshman in the school for basketball. I would join the team that featured names you wouldn’t know, but were legendary in PA games in the region. Dan Welker, Jim Coyle, Brian McKee, and others, were part of this resurgence in basketball in the Lehigh Valley. There was even talks we’d play inner city Philadelphia schools. Simon Graz? Rasheed Wallace! My name was to join that crew and be part of the next big thing!
Actually, in some cases my name had already been attached. I was in the “in” crowd at Southern Lehigh. Went to prom as a freshman! The coup de grâce, was when the basketball team went to Sectionals in the playoffs (you sweet summer child RI people who only have to win three games to be state champs. In most states, it’s a divisional tournament, a sectional tournament, a regional tournament, and then a state tournament to decide the state championship!)…we got blown out…which meant they put me in for some quality garbage time. I had six minutes to do work…and I did work. I scored twelve points, nabbed four rebounds, and had a block shot in six minutes, plus I hit a buzzer beater to bring us within twenty points. It was featured on the news! “Southern Lehigh falls but check out the play of super freshman Scott Reslow…” It was dubbed Reslow Magic and I became a small legend.
It was all in front of me. I saw the path. I would have a crazy three more years with Southern Lehigh. Go to sectionals every year, maybe win it? Maybe win a state championship, if Welker, Coyle, McKee, and Reslow, plus Tony Smith, got good enough. I’d play top tier ball. Maybe make the pros? Granted, I was a fool as most kids are. There were high school men, like Rasheed Wallace at Simon Gratz who were 6’10 and dominating hoops at the national level from Philadelphia…but regardless, I had some big dreams. I also had what every kid hopes for…two varsity spots (basketball and baseball), popularity, solid grades, and this consistent positive drive that everything was going to work out for me…
Then, we moved. We moved to Rhode Island. Everything was different. Everything was done differently. Even the classes were different. Gone were the extensive physical education classes where sports, nutrition, and knowledge were the priority. Instead, we played mat ball. I found myself in classes with seniors, because the PA schools had already advanced me in classwork. Not a lot of fun being a new kid, an underclassman, in classes with seniors. What was most damaging was I found myself on a basketball team that was strong, but I got very little run. I just came from a team where I was the heir apparent to now riding pine for a team I felt my former team would crush. I looked at the roster I was now on and I felt I was a better player then most of them. Whether I was wrong or right on that, we’ll never know because perhaps I was better then them…I sure as shit never showed it. Why? Because my attitude to the task stunk.
Some call it entitled. Others call it lost or delusional. I had it in spades. Everything was gone. Popularity gone. I stood out like a sore thumb at this new school in RI. Instead of fighting each day to prove my level on the basketball court, like I used to do, I went through the motions. There was another transfer who came in with me to the school. He was from California. He, unlike me, had a very positive outlook to the situation. Guess who got time and who didn’t? I was the better player, but his attitude to the task trumped mine easily. Attitude is everything.
The same thing, oddly enough, would happen to me in college. After kind of righting the ship and having a pretty good senior year, I accepted a half athletic scholarship to play basketball at Kutztown University…basically the D2 Penn State (Andre Reed graduated from Kutztown and played for the Buffalo Bills!). I was excited. I went on the tour. Did the first year orientation. Met an upperclassman female who wanted my number. I was all in and things were looking up. Then, on the first week classes, the basketball coach brought me into his office and told me he had overextended his scholarship money and me, and three other guys, were getting their money revoked. I was stunned. I left campus that day.
Coach Walker at Moravian College was desperate for another player for his roster. They needed another big pretty badly, so Walker was combing over all the recruits he could find that may still be on the board. He found me and asked if I would come to Moravian. It just so happened that phone call was taken when I was driving home from Kutztown. Without thinking much about it, I said yes. I was officially a Moravian Greyhound two weeks later. However, the same attitude problems plagued me. I couldn’t get my head around that I didn’t belong there. I was supposed to be somewhere else. I was a D2 guy and this D3 squad wasn’t where I was supposed to be.
I struggled. The team was quite good despite me. They had Derek Wright (Jay Wright’s brother. Jay would win national championships as the coach of Villanova later on). They had talented guards like Razor Reddick and bigs who could ball like Bob Schnieder, plus another incoming freshman like me who, though new to the sport, was a gifted athlete named Jason Moran. Moran had only dabbled in basketball, as he was a near professional bowler. Nonetheless, he was 6’4, could jump 40 inches and learned quickly. He was tough to stop. Instead of having gratitude that I had to school that wanted me, I was so despondent. Irritated. Frustrated. Attitude is everything.
If, in both cases, I projected a strong, positive, eager to learn, team friendly, attitude…the outcomes would have been different. Or, at least I would have had a better experience with my teammates as a minimum. One of the best parts of being part of team is just doing all the things together. Achieving something bigger then yourself. The friendships you make. The trials and tribulations you share. That’s what’s important…not where you think you should be or how things got altered from your original plan. Take each adventure, each challenge, and view it from the lens of I owe it to myself and everyone involved that I put my best foot forward. I’ll make everyone better. Make the whole situation better. When I get my opportunity, I’m going give it everything I have. My teammates will be the most important thing to me.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, your performance as an athlete does not define who you are as a person. I’ve been in sport a long time now, both as a coach and as a player. I’ve been on, and coached, teams where the best player is a complete jackass and the guy who got zero run was the best overall human being. At the end of it all, give me the best overall human being over the jerk that will get me 20 kills a night, but also make everything toxic. Sport can be status and fame, I get that, but that stuff should be earned accidently, not be your goal. The goal is to be the overall great human being, who chose sport to test him or herself for hard work, discipline, and comradery. Please trust me…the people who are teammates, regardless of your contribution, will love you as long as you bring a positive, industrious, attitude to the table regardless of how you got there. Certainly, no one can tell you how to feel about a situation, however, get it out, refocus, embrace, and give it everything you got while enjoying the ride. I wish I had known that, and put it into practice, during those high school and college days…
Big Stat Games of the Week…
Jamilson Almeida - Central Falls - Pin - 44 kills, 4 aces, 3 blocks, 5 digs vs. Westerly : 19 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs at North Smithfield : 30 kills on Central
Jovanny Lopez - Central Falls - Setter - 50 assists, 2 kills, 5 blocks, 5 digs vs. Westerly
Cam Marcotte - Coventry - Middle - 10 kills, 4 blocks, 4 digs at Chariho
Landon Marland - Chariho - Pin - 4 kills, 8 blocks, 3 digs vs. Coventry
Stephen Dufour - North Kingstown - Libero - 19 digs, 2 assists at East Greenwich
Jayden Yang - North Kingstown - Setter - 38 assists, 5 digs at East Greenwich
Henry Kenyon - Westerly - Middle - 13 kills, 10 blocks at Central Falls : 16 kills, 4 blocks at Johnston
Donovan Park - Barrington - Pin - 15 kills, 4 aces, 8 digs against Cranston West : 13 kills, 3 blocks vs. La Salle
Alex Robinson - East Providence - Setter - 32 assists vs. La Salle Academy
Colin Kelly - West Warwick - Middle - 13 kills, 8 blocks against Juanita Sanchez
Alex Osmena - West Warwick - Pin - 15 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks against Juanita Sanchez
Andrew Bissonnette - Woonsocket - Setter - 28 assists, 9 kills against South Kingstown
Chase Wolstencroft - South Kingstown - Setter - 35 assists, 8 digs against Woonsocket : 45 assists, 2 aces against Portsmouth
Ben Wright - South Kingstown - Pin - 15 kills, 3 aces, 15 digs against Woonsocket : 21 kills, 10 digs against Portsmouth
John Wiley - Portsmouth - Pin - 15 kills, 6 aces at Hope
Manny Bejaran - Hope - Pin - 15 kills, 3 aces vs. Portsmouth
Zane Turner - Block Island - Pin - 11 kills, 4 blocks against Exeter / West Greenwich
Nate Fisher - Mt. Hope - Pin - 15 kills, 12 digs at North Providence
Zach Lapierre - East Greenwich - Pin - 6 kills, 7 blocks at Chariho
Rainen Paquet - East Greenwich - Setter - 30 assists, 8 blocks at Chariho
Kody Poplaski - Chariho - Pin - 22 kills, 5 aces, 17 digs vs. East Greenwich
Carter Stolt - Chariho - Middle - 10 kills, 4 aces, 3 blocks vs. East Greenwich
Cayden Closson - Burrillville - Setter - 26 assists, 9 kills against Achievement First
Andrew Ramos - Bishop Hendricken - Pin - 23 kills, 2 aces, 6 digs vs. East Providence
Ben Warr - Bishop Hendricken - Setter - 42 assists, 8 kills, 2 aces, 16 digs vs. East Providence
Zach Roebuck - Bishop Hendricken - Middle - 6 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks vs. East Providence
Charles Pincince - Cranston East - Pin - 21 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces vs. Bishop Hendricken
Caleb Xum - Cranston East - Setter - 34 assists, 2 blocks, 2 digs vs. Bishop Hendricken
Sam Rivera - Cranston East - Libero - 14 digs vs. Bishop Hendricken
Ty Cotta - La Salle Academy - Libero - 20 digs at Barrington
Jeraldy Santos - Classical - Libero - 11 digs, 2 aces vs. Cranston West
Kasey Poplaski - Chariho - Setter - 39 assists, 3 aces vs. East Greenwich
Ryan Harrington - North Kingstown - Pin - 14 kills, 3 aces vs. Bishop Hendricken
Jack Casey - Portsmouth - Middle - 26 kills, 16 digs, 5 blocks against South Kingstown
Sean Wilkey - Portsmouth - Pin - 21 kills against South Kingstown
Jack Loper - Portsmouth - Setter - 50 assists, 7 digs against South Kingstown
ResV Team of the Week…
Pin - Kody Poplaski - Chariho
Pin - Nate Fisher - Mt. Hope
Middle - Henry Kenyon - Westerly - Middle
Middle - Colin Kelly - West Warwick
Pin - Manny Bejaran - Hope
Setter - Rainen Paquet - East Greenwich
Libero - Ean Williamson - East Providence
Utility - Cam Marcotte - Coventry
ResV Top 15…
North Kingstown (17 - 0) - It’s kind of boring writing about them now. They’re the top dog and everyone is a full lap behind. That’s not to say that they couldn’t get stunned when the lights are brightest. They play the games for a reason. However, the ship is in tight shape and the playoffs are almost here and they still look hungry to me to finish the job.
Cranston East (11 - 5) - The only team to push NK to four sets twice. Only EP and Coventry have also taken a set from the Skippers. Still, the Bolts have the most physicality in the state to deal with NK. Question is can they fine tune their defense enough to put some fear in the Skippers. To date, Cranston East has not blocked well enough to slow NK down, nor dug enough balls to get good swings in transition. Until those two pieces get improved, I’m not sure the Bolts can stop the NK juggernaut.
+2 Classical (13 - 4) - Do The Purple have enough in the tank to knock off either NK or CE? I’m not sure. They do have guile, cunning, ignorance, and enthusiasm on their side. You don’t know what we’re going to do, because we’re not sure what we’re going to do…but we’re going to do it, whatever it is, with gusto! It’s the power of attitude in a nutshell. Classical’s crew knows that it’s just one rally away from them on top and they’ll just keep running full speed till the official tells them the game is over. I like it. I’m just not sure they can make enough plays against the top two…
Lincoln (15 - 0) - After the first week of play this season, the Lions had one date on the calendar that was circled…the trip to Pawtucket. The Tolman gym is a handful and Pawtucket scarred them in the opening segment of the season, so that trip was the one to think about. Well, Lincoln did the job in four so that settled that. Lions now two up on Pawtucket ensures the one seed, in my opinion. They’ve also survived the Central Falls onslaught mid year as well. So, I have the Lions in the finals. Who they play will be interesting, but I just don’t think there is a team that can get in the way enough to stop them from a visit to RIC.
+1 East Providence (9 - 7) - This EP side has always intrigued me. They have lots of pieces to the puzzle with two skilled pins, hard working middles, good Lib, solid hands, some depth on the roster. Frankly, it amazes me a little that they have seven losses on the year. Now, like most other teams, they’ve had their issues with having everyone available, but also the passing for this team is kind of hit or miss. When on, though, they are very tough to stop. So, this Townie side has to be hoping to catch lightening in a bottle and ride it all the way to the end…and they can do it, so I wouldn’t take this team lightly at all.
—3 La Salle (7 - 8) - The defending champs can’t seem to put a perfect week into play. They now have loses to Coventry, Chariho, NK, Cranston East, and EP. Granted, three of their eight losses are from teams outside of RI, so those are sort of taken with a grain of salt. The thing I keep coming back to when I see this group play is I’m unsure if the 6/2 is the way to go. The Rams have run with both the 5/1 and 6/2 this year, but the 6/2 has gotten the bulk of the run. Problem is that with the 6/2, two of your main offensive guys only play three rotations and the team then also has really zero back row attacking. It’s a conundrum. No matter, this rule always applies…the defending champs are still the champs until they’re not…and they won’t go down without a top tier effort by their opponent.
+1 Bishop Hendricken (7 - 8) - The Hawks are going to be one of those playoff teams that the success or failure of the run will be based on how healthy the roster is. Now, you could say, “Coach Reslow, isn’t that every team?” and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, this Hendricken team leans on a couple of players heavily and thus their level and production is what feeds the rest of the beast. Think of it as confidence versus uncertainty. If everyone is rocking on all cylinders, the team feels they can ball with anyone. If there is one or two guys that are just too banged up to produce, the feeling of, “we just don’t have enough…” creeps into the entire team and away it will go. So health is everything for this Hawk squad. Here’s to them being healthy when it matters most!
+2 East Greenwich (7 - 8) - The Avengers are the crew that are the RI high school volleyball version of “The Goonies” from 1985! A true team in every sense of the word…and just like the movie, Avengers never say die. I loved that flick, like most people my age, though Sloth creeped me out. I felt so awful for him as I couldn’t understand why his parents would treat him so. A young Josh Brolin is in that flick…perhaps you didn’t know… Anyway, this Avenger side comes into every match and just throws the kitchen sink at you. If you’re not prepared, you’re going to get stunned…ask Chariho. The style of play is solid, they’re well coached, and they look like that actually all care about each other…which is really the secret sauce to any team.
—2 Chariho (9 - 7) - Not sure what is going in Charger land, but it’s not ideal for this moment in the season. I would also hate to think that there is this ResV curse for them this year. The moment they reached the top five on the board, they’ve struggled to win matches. Chariho has dropped four out of their last five and it’s a fair bet that things may not go swimmingly for them with Cranston East and North Kingstown next. So, what to do? Well, first and foremost is to get everyone back and healthy. From there, give your best effort with this week and learn as much as you can, because the playoffs are all but here and they are a volatile dragon that will put your horse on fire if you’re not careful.
+2 Pawtucket (13 - 4) - Ok, ok… I hear you. +2 for losing to Lincoln in four? Yeah, I know…it doesn’t look great. Hear me out, though. There is a case to be made that Pawtucket has been undervalued for most of the year…mainly because they moved up a level and I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like…and their opening loss to Lincoln. Now, sixteen matches later, going thirteen and three in those sixteen matches, it’s very plain to see they’re one of the top sides out there and perhaps they should have gone higher on the board. Also, take into consideration that Central Falls rose considerably while Westerly faltered slightly, both teams that Pawtucket has wins over. So, I don’t want to hear it. Top ten is accurate and they’re the only club in D2 that may upend Lincoln…though the next team on the board might have a bone to pick with me on that.
+3 Central Falls (13 - 4) - Warriors…come out to playyyyy! If you know that reference, we can be friends. This team is challenging the perception that you need more then two attackers to win matches. All throughout my career, the idea was you need three guys to score for you to have a shot to beat anyone. Anything less, and the block can just key in, the ground defense can just set the spot, and at some point those two guys will fall apart. Central Falls has arguably the top weapon in the state and almost everyone else is blocking and digging for the most part. It’s wild, but it’s also been pretty effective. They also move the big guy around a ton…any free ball they get, he switches side of the net, so it’s hard to just set the block. I like it. This strategy has only failed four times thus far…so why not Central Falls? Can you dig it!?!
—1 Westerly (12 - 4) - I love the smell of protest in the morning… What in Sam Hill is going on right now with this protest I’m hearing with the Bulldogs and Warriors? It’s like a movie come to life! Just like the Hatfields and the McCoys not having a cozy existence, this feels the same with Westerly and Central Falls. I’m not sure they could be further apart geographically in this tiny state of ours either. What’s even more interesting to me is that this situation the protest is based on doesn’t seem too egregious to me. Not even in the same ball park as the now legendary Chariho / Prout debacle. Who knows? Certainly not me… Anyway, I’ve been a fan of Westerly’s unconventional and aggressive style of play this season. If you’re playing Westerly, it’s going to be a long night and you’re going to be frustrated. So, if this match is going to be re-started and played…well, it’s going to be more of the same. My question is, does the stats hold?
—3 Coventry (5 - 10) - Oakers are on the precipice. Not sure of what, but they are there. Considering they have only five wins, it’s really something they’re still on the board. In fact, it’s the quality of those five wins that keeps them a float. La Salle, Cranston East, East Greenwich, Barrington, and Cranston West. That’s #2, #6, #8, and two off the board. Remarkable. Thus, I guess you could envision Coventry as the one in a million horse that finds the groove when those least expect it. Actually, I kind of like that thought going into playoffs. “Annnnd in the far lane we have CV Oaker! CV Oaker, ladies and Gentlemen. And, they’re off! It’s LaS Baby in five followed by Skip This in four. Bolt Us is in three and gaining ground. Avenge Me hops over Bolt Us for a hot second and then they return. They’re heading round the last turn and….my goodness its CV Oaker making up ground….passing everyone! It’s not just CV Oaker and Skip This. Skip This and CV Oaker. Skip This. CV Oaker. Through the home stretch, and the winner is…”
—1 Portsmouth (14 - 2) - The Patriots have two losses and they’re both to D2 opponents. That sort of says everything, right? Portsmouth has taken the best D3 has had to offer and have not blinked. Mt. Hope is probably the only real threat to the cup, and I do confess, I’d like to see those two teams crash heads again. For, as you may remember, it took huge lifts from Portsmouth’s two main horses to survive that night. Luckily for all of us, the rematch between the two is on the 21st…clearly a prequel to the playoffs and perhaps the D3 final.
West Warwick (12 - 4) - Sort of a fun question…which do you prefer, playing the top seed and trying to be the underdog against a club that has manhandled the season…or…being a relatively high seed playing a team that may be lower, but play real crazy like. Unconventional. Borderline reckless, but in that cool way that Martin Riggs was like in the Lethal Weapon movies. I think I would take the later. Everyone likes an underdog. Anyway, whomever sees this Wizard team in the playoffs will be dealing with the other side of the equation. To put it bluntly, they’re going to wish they weren’t seeing West Warwick. Hard out, tough to figure out, and just going to do things that will drive you crazy. Good luck, because you’re going to need it.
Receiving Votes… Cranston West, Mt. Hope, Hope, Barrington, South Kingstown
ResV Player of the Week…
Week One - Ben Warr - Bishop Hendricken
Week Two – Henry Kenyon – Westerly
Week Three – Ryan Harrington – North Kingstown
Week Four – Cody Tow – North Kingstown
Week Five —Kody Poplaski — Chariho
Week Six - Cam Gates - East Greenwich
Week Seven - Jamilson Almeida - Central Falls - You put up 44 kills in a night, well, you get the player of the week…without question. Oh, and he put up 30 on Central at the end of the week as well!
ResV Honorable Baller of the Week…
Week One – Nate Paciga — Westerly
Week Two – Zach Gessman — East Greenwich
Week Three — Jeremy Thao — West Warwick
Week Four — Masiah Prak-Preaster — Coventry
Week Five — Aidan Huff — East Greenwich
Week Six - Jovanny Lopez - Central Fall
Week Seven - Donovan Park - Barrington - Been a long road for the Eagles this year, but solid week for Park. He put up double digit kills twice in week seven…13 on the Rams!
Past Mid-Season Award Projections…
Note: Absolutely reserve the right to change my mind on these, as there is plenty of volleyball left to play…
Potential Player of the Year:
Ryan Harrington (North Kingstown, Pin) - Picked up where he left off last year when he was ResV Co-Player of the Year. May be the most skilled player in the state and just has ice in his veins when the lights are brightest.
Jamilson Almeida (Central Falls, Pin) - Put up 44 kills this week on Westerly. Nobody is putting up those types of numbers. Is the complete package at 6’5, solid leap, and strong arm.
Charles Pincince (Cranston East, Pin) - The bedrock of the CE program for the last two years. You can set your watch to Sir Charles. He’ll get you at least 12 kills, 4 aces, night in and night out no matter the match.
Masiah Prak-Preaster (Coventry, Pin) - One of the league’s high flyers! His team has had a roller coaster year, but Masiah has been pretty consistent with his play. Multifaceted and often out of position, he’s a threat to get 20 plus kills every night.
Henry Kenyon (Westerly, Middle) - Henry is in the group of top athletic middles in the state, which include Dixon, Casey, Colton, and Varela. What separates Henry from the others is that he’s asked to do more then any other middle in the state, based on Westerly’s style of play.
Cody Tow (North Kingstown, Pin) - The true anchor of the Skippers. No player has killed the ball more in Skipper history than Tow. He’s an offensive weapon that just puts pressure on you from start to finish and his relentless assault from all over the court generally breaks the opponent by the end of set two.
Hayson Ortiz (Pawtucket, Pin) - Pawtucket keeps winning and the horse in the engine is Hayson. He has bounce and an arm and makes solid attacking choices. He’s also mentally tough and a top tier competitor.
Potential Defensive Player of the Year:
Jeraldy Santos (Classical, Libero) - The good ones are known just by a name, and Jeraldy is no different. His ball control is top tier and he’s very quick. His instincts are solid and you really have to snap a ball to have a chance to get by him.
Stephen Dufour (North Kingstown, Libero) - No one in the league positions themselves better on a play then Dufour. He scoops everything and is easily the top “three off, three in” setter in the state.
Dennis Dixon (Cranston East, Middle) - The most physical blocker in the state. You have to account for his hands being well on your side when you strike the ball. Causes roll shots constantly.
Jackson Colton (Lincoln, Middle) - Has a real knack for the ball. Closes quicker then you think and often drops his hands into the zone. Has a motor that doesn’t stop, as well.
Ty Cotta (La Salle Academy, Libero) - Manic defender who covers a lot of ground and excels at absorbing the hard struck ball. Has no fear of laying out to make a play and doesn’t shy away from pocket when the heat is on.
Jaxon Vachon (Chariho, Libero) - Vachon is a guy who covers so much ground and reads things so well that often times he’s in the area of someone else’s responsibility. He’s a bronco that just is gunning to make a play. Loves to hit the deck to save a point and probably has the best motor out of all the Liberos in the state.
Ean Williamson (East Providence, Libero) - Sure handed Libero, Williamson anchors the Townies ground defense well. He has a solid platform, but really like to use his hands. Keeps everything is front him and makes play after play.
Potential Setter of the Year:
Caleb Xum (Cranston East) - Cool, calm, and collective, Xum leads the Bolts to battle. He makes hard plays look pretty easy and his decision making is top tier.
Evan Shea (North Kingstown) - Another guy in the calm and collective mold for setters. Shea has good feel for when to run the middles all while setting the table for his pins to do work.
Ben Warr (Bishop Hendricken) - The Bruiser Setter. I’ve liked Warr’s work for a while now. He makes really smart plays with the ball, digs and covers better then anyone in the league, and his will is practically unmatched.
Sebastian DeCubellis (Lincoln) - The main cog in the Lincoln machine. Sebastian makes it all go. He’s a solid block, has good ball location, and has a had strong year.
Kasey Poplaski (Chariho) - The Chargers are tough to beat when Kasey is balling…which is the top compliment you can give a setter, actually. He’s certainly offense minded as he’ll attack a lot if you’re not paying attention too.
Jacob Agramonte (Classical) - I’m going to bet dollars to donuts that even Jacob didn’t think he’d be setting this year. He’s taken to it sooo well, though. Offense is clearly unconventional, but he makes good overall decisions and just leads his team to wins night in and night out.
Jayden Yang (North Kingstown) - Kind of rough for NK opponents…normally when the back up setter comes in, you’re feeling like things may go your way. Trouble is, Yang is as good as anyone at the setter position in the state. Dynamic player who likes to run things fast. Solid defender, serves well, and a better blocker then you think.
Potential Newcomer of the Year:
Jack Casey (Portsmouth, Middle) - I hadn’t heard of Casey before…so much so that I had his first name wrong at the beginning. Casey has been a force in the D3 world, but also putting up 20 plus kills on D2 schools as well. He’s 6’5, has bounce, and is just starting his volleyball journey.
Sam Riviera (Cranston East, Libero) - Sammy is lightening in a bottle. Hardest worker on the floor night in and night out. Makes plays and keeps rallies going. He’s been a solid addition to a Bolt teams looking to take the Skippers to the limit.
Flavio Tavares (La Salle Academy, Pin) - I cannot wait until Flavio becomes the guy at La Salle. Right now, he’s a third option on a team full of weapons. Once he becomes the guy, however, numbers will follow. Big leap, big arm, and he has shots. Big future in the game for sure.
Rainen Paquet (East Greenwich, Setter) - Part of the truest sense of “team” in the league, Paquet runs the offense for the Avengers. He has good footwork, makes solid decisions, and is constantly learning. He’ll be a big part of the upcoming EG sides.
Cam Gates (East Greenwich, Pin) - Sticking with the young Avengers here…Gates is another guy who is getting huge minutes and putting up numbers. He has a pretty big arm and serves tough. Plus, he doesn’t get rattled…just goes for it rally after rally.
Cal Oberacker (Barrington, Pin) - First big minutes for Cal in his career and there is a lot to like. Super athletic with a big jump and quality arm that’s only going to get better. He passes pretty well and he’s versatile to play both left and oppo.
Owen Clarkin (Classical, Pin) - Clarkin came out of left field and really started the push when Agramonte moved into the setter position. He’s put many matches with north of 12 kills for the Purple this year and his emergence as an offensive weapon has assured Classical is absolutely no picnic to play.
Potential Unsung Hero of the Year:
Aidan Huff (East Greenwich, Middle) - The Glue of the Avengers. He can play any position. He is willing to do whatever the team needs and give solid numbers. He’s having a very season primarily in the middle and he’s a big reason the Avengers feel no one should want to play them.
Eli Nogueras (La Salle Academy, Defensive Specialist) - Nogueras is on a team that is chock full of Liberos, which makes things tough. However, none of the other Libs can do what Eli does. His combination of clutch serving, passing, and defensive play, locks down three rotations and allows everyone else to do their job well. They don’t win the whole thing last year without him, and he’s been crucial in the role this year as well.
Carter Stolt (Chariho, Middle) - Speaking of middles that work, Stolt is all of that. He has a motor that does not quit while also skilled to block and score with the best of them. I’d argue that Chariho doesn’t use him enough! Stolt is a gamer who comes to each match, leaves it all on the table, and then preps for the next without out a word.
Jvonny Lopez (Central Falls, Setter) - Mr. Lopez has a job that is complex, yet precise…get the big fella the ball 70% of the time, while keeping the rest of the guys on the floor happy. It’s a challenging role and Jvonny does a nice job. He puts up hittable balls, plays scrappy defense, and leads the squad forward well.
Cam Marcotte (Coventry, Middle) - When I was a basketball player in college, we had a guy on the team from Ireland Whenever he would go off, we would all joyously remark, “Yes! Get European on them, Dave!” I feel the same fervor applies to Cam. “Get Coventry on them, Cam!” Marcotte works hard, battles for every point, and has some unorthodox instincts that work more then not. Also, best high five guy in the league, hands down!
Antonio Varela (East Providence, Middle) - Discovered Antonio through the recruiting portal and all of a sudden I realized that AV is a key cog in this EP side. Rodriguez and Mimande make it all go, but Varela helps secure decent looks them. Antonio can score. He has good bounce and a strong arm, demanding teams worry about him first.
Jasper Hoefferle (Classical, Middle) - Jasper is similar to Aidan Huff at East Greenwich. Can, and will, do whatever the team needs and be pretty solid at it. Like Huff, he’s found the majority of his services are needed in the middle. He’s done a nice job and will get The Purple points when called upon.
Potential Coach of the Year:
Ka Men (Classical) - Moving Agramonte to the setter position was a stroke of genius.
Ridge Porter (East Greenwich) - Skipper of probably the truest definition of team we’ll see this year.
Steve Bevilacqua (Pawtucket) - He and Coach Ramos have the Tigers once again in position to battle for cup.
Lucas Marland (Chariho) - Had to battle all year with missing pieces and still in the playoff hunt.
Lyndsey Larson (Lincoln) - Undefeated to date, and most recently survived one of the toughest barns in the state.
Josh Malloy (West Warwick) - Nobody saw the Wizards coming and that’s how Malloy likes it.
Valerie Biascochea (Central Falls) - Is keeping everyone happy when she has one of the biggest horses needing volume.
Playoff Races Through Week Seven…
Division One:
North Kingstown - On repeat until two more weeks from now.
Cranston East - Holding fast. Can they figure out the combination to the Skippers when it matters?
Classical - D1 biggest surprise.
East Providence - When on, just a lot of fun to watch play. Consistency, just like everyone else, is the constant battle.
La Salle Academy - Still feel they’ll emerge once the lights are brightest…hopefully despite the more then anticpated losses.
Division Two:
Lincoln – Went to Pawtucket’s barn and sorted it. Clear favorite for the crown.
Pawtucket – Had their shot at the Lions and missed.
Central Falls – Huge numbers from their gun and the question now becomes, can they replicate it when it matters most?
Westerly – Heartbreaking loss to CF, but then stunned the Chargers.
West Warwick - Could bow out quickly or make a semi-final run. I know I don’t want to play them. lol.
Division Three:
Portsmouth – Suffered their second defeat in five to SK, but still in the pole position for D3.
Mt. Hope – This team is gritty and wants another shot at the Patriots.
Hope – Stole a set from Portsmouth and perhaps that’s going to be the pivot point for them in the playoffs.
Achievement First – Rounding out their best season to date. Maybe a playoff run to boot?
North Providence - Another newer program having a solid season with hopes to cause issues when the lights shine.
ResV Coaching Tip of the Week:
It is always in your best interest, especially at the high school level, to do your own scorebook when you’re on the road. Quite frankly, the rule should be that each team has a person doing the scorebook at table for each match and no one plays till they look the same. Most issues in the sport of volleyball come from the scorebook because… A, generally kids are doing the book… and B, volleyball relies on the scorebook so much for how scoring works and figuring out who is in and out of the game. If information into the book gets entered incorrectly, all hell can break loose, especially if it’s not caught right away. It’s not that the book is complicated…it’s just monotonous and boring. Thus, kids loose interest, something happens they don’t record, five rallies happen and then we’re in a mess. So, make sure you bring your own book, and someone you trust to do it well consistently, to every away match, even if they do not let you sit at the scorer’s table…which they should. If at any point, things do not match up, go to the scorer’s table and be insistent that we need to fix the issue before the team plays another rally. It’s better to have a little bit of delay and get it right, then risk a nightmare scenario where it’s wrong, you lose, protests, etc.
ResV Player Tip of the Week:
This one is kind of basic, but when I was still playing at a recently solid level, I found it rather helpful. Drink lots of water for hydration the day / night before a big match. Having the body hydrated and to the max the day prior…and all I’m talking about is drinking water / electrolyte beverages till your urine is clear the night before, ensures that your normal routine prior to the competition will maintain a solid hydration status that will spare you cramps, early fatigue, brain fog, etc. I’m no dietician or doc, so if it’s not for you, totally cool. I just found once I started doing this, my normal day following kept the hydration in the right spot for my body to roll longer and without issue in the competition.
To send updates, stories, and players college decisions…or inquire about coffee beans that Coach roasts himself, to Coach Reslow - Scott.Reslow@protonmail.com
Coaches! Please feel free to reach out if interested in scheduling some time to talk shop! I’d love to help your program out!
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