After down year, Hawks hoping for resurgent season

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 4/14/15

Bishop Hendricken has claimed eight Division I volleyball titles – more than any other school.

So when the Hawks finished 4-12 last season, there was definitely some disappointment surrounding …

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After down year, Hawks hoping for resurgent season

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Bishop Hendricken has claimed eight Division I volleyball titles – more than any other school.

So when the Hawks finished 4-12 last season, there was definitely some disappointment surrounding the team.

But the Hawks look to be much improved this season and will look to have a bounce-back season this spring.

“We don’t have a ton of volleyball experience, but we have plenty of athletes,” Hendricken head coach Mike Harrington said. “We’ll have a chance to be a tough team by the end of the season. Our goal is to be playing our best at the end of the year.”

The Hawks will look to utilize a deep roster, which will be highlighted by their top offensive players – Dan Flaherty and Nathan Gyampo. The senior captains will serve as Hendricken’s biggest hitters, along with fellow senior, Brennan Murphy, who is primarily a soccer player, but has stepped in nicely and is starting right away.

Another senior captain, Christian Leonard, will be the Hawks’ setter this season.

Four juniors are also set to be key contributors this spring for Hendricken – Kyle Murphy, Robert Barton, Richard Nardella and Nick Paolino. Murphy is a middle hitter, while Nardella will serve as Hendricken’s libero, Barton will play at middle blocker and Paolino will add some depth at outside hitter.

Others on the roster are Jake Eland, Brendan Dillon, Austin Bergeron and Matt Russell.

Assisting Harrington this season is Matt Laliberte. Laliberte will bring some solid experience, as he graduated from Hendricken in 2001 after a successful volleyball career – helping the Hawks to a title in 1999 with a squad that featured Rocco Baldelli.

Hendricken is already on pace for a much better season than the one a year ago, splitting its first four games en route to a 2-2 start.

The Hawks fell to La Salle and Mount, but earned victories over Tolman and defending state champion, North Kingstown.

Mount is looking to be one of the top teams in the state this season, as it has rolled to a 4-0 start. It is one of just three unbeaten teams remaining, as Coventry and South Kingstown are both currently 3-0.

Harrington is optimistic about his team this season, and believes that they will make significant strides after a down year.

“Last season, we weren’t overly athletic,” Harrington said. “We have a better team than we did last year – we have a much more athletic team.”

The Hawks will be back in action tonight, when they host undefeated South Kingstown at 6:30 p.m. Hendricken will be looking to push its record above .500 with a win.

Because of a lack of volleyball experience, the Hawks may take some time to gel, but Harrington believes that his squad can be dangerous by season’s end.

“It may take us a little bit longer to be season ready,” Harrington said. “But by the end, I think we’ll have the chance to beat anybody.”

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