’Canes aiming for playoffs

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 4/14/15

This isn’t how the Warwick Vets volleyball team wanted to start their season.

After compiling a 7-11 record last spring, the ’Canes came into this season with high expectations, but they …

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’Canes aiming for playoffs

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This isn’t how the Warwick Vets volleyball team wanted to start their season.

After compiling a 7-11 record last spring, the ’Canes came into this season with high expectations, but they don’t have much room for error going forward after an 0-3 start in recent weeks.

It hasn’t been all bad for the ’Canes early on, though.

Except for a tough loss in a winnable match against Scituate, Vets has been playing well.

Because of that, head coach Brendan Friel is excited about his team’s potential going forward this season.

“We’re looking competitive,” Friel said. “Our goal is to be in the top six in our subdivision and make the playoffs.”

A realignment in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League may make that tough for the ’Canes to do, particularly after an 0-3 start.

Division II is now divided into two subdivisions of eight teams, and Vets was placed in the stronger of the two.

In D-II-South, the ’Canes are accompanied by five teams that made the playoffs in D-II a year ago, as well as Cranston East, who dropped down after a 7-9 season in Division I last spring.

The only team that failed to make the playoffs last season of those seven teams is Toll Gate.

However, that hasn’t altered Vets’ confidence, as it feels that it’s up for the challenge.

“We’re definitely on the more competitive side of the division,” Friel said. “We’ll have to learn quickly and adapt. Hopefully we can rise up, meet expectations and get better.”

One issue coming into the season was trying to figure out who would replace last season’s setter, Justin Batista.

It turns out that two players have filled in nicely in Batista’s spot in the first three matches, with junior Kyle Yang and freshman Ben Hunt showing promise at setter.

There were also question marks coming into the season because role players from a season ago would have to be asked to emerge as key starters this time around.

Jon Hunt has certainly stepped up and has shown significant improvements after working hard in the off-season.

Davin Lourenco will also be relied upon as a mainstay in the front row, while big things are also expected from Anthony Ferri.

Jon Hunt, Lourenco and Ferri, three seniors, will look to provide leadership to a relatively inexperienced roster.

At libero, Colin Lemire will return after missing last season. Other returners will be sophomore Steve Sangas, who earned some playing time as a freshman last season, as well as senior Nick Marold.

Others on the roster are Matt Boulet, Ben Giannillo, Mark Giannillo, James Golen, Jake Isaac, Tannor O’Connor, Jake Pelletier, Maxx Phillips, Nysiah Simpson, Virakchai Thongdee and Shayne Walsh.

Assisting Friel this season will be Jim DeSimone.

Friel is happy with where the program is heading, but will be looking for his team to establish themselves within the division, as they search for some consistency.

Vets was back in action on Monday at East Greenwich. Results were unavailable at press time, but Friel felt that the match would be an indicator of what kind of team the ’Canes would be going forward.

“I think that will determine where we belong,” Friel said. “If we can come up with the win, it would be huge. But as long as we show up, play hard and are competitive, I think that will dictate the rest of the season.”

The loss to Scituate could come back to hurt Vets – a match that it certainly should’ve won – but it’ll have to put that loss in the past and begin to turn the season around as soon as it can.

“We expect to hang with the best teams in the division and edge a win or two from them,” Friel said. “We’re looking to earn a spot in the playoffs then make some noise when we get there.”

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