NYPost.com boys volleyball beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the PSAL quarterfinals set for 11 a.m. Saturday at York College.
SCHEDULE
11 a.m. – No. 1 Bryant vs. No. 9 John F. Kennedy
12:30 p.m. – No. 4 Seward Park vs. No. 5 Brooklyn Tech
2 p.m. – No. 3 McKee/Staten Island Tech vs. No. 6 New Utrecht
3:30 p.m. – No. 2 Academy of American Studies vs. No. 10 Hunter College HS
No. 1 Bryant Owls
Head coach: Steve Hagenlocher
Record: 13-0
Player to watch: Troy Gaugler
No. 9 John F. Kennedy Knights
Head coach: Iris Bromfield
Record: 12-0
Player to watch: Leudy Veras
Outlook: Bryant, arguably the most complete team in the draw, didn’t lose a set in league play and skated through the first and second rounds unmolested. With Troy Gaugler on the outside, Mirsad Bektesevic in the middle and libero Godwin Sequeira on defense, the Owls can beat teams in many ways. Their lone criticism is they didn’t challenge themselves in many tournaments late in the season.
Kennedy went toe to toe with Bryant the times the two teams played this year in tournaments. The Knights are also playing their best volleyball of the season now that star setter Hansel Collado is back (appendicitis). Angel Acosta and Leudy Veras are very potent on the outside and Michael Drame provides a 6-foot-4 block in the middle. Kennedy could steal this one.
No. 4 Seward Park Bears
Head coach: Sonia Colon
Record: 14-0
Player to watch: Bryan Hu
No. 5 Brooklyn Tech
Head coach: Noreen Begley
Record: 14-0
Player to watch: Alex Fevry
Outlook: Seward got a serious scare Thursday in the second round against Midwood. The Bears had to gut out a three-set thriller, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in for a fall in the quarters. Seward was one of the best teams in the city all season, one that plays great defense and has two hitters – Glenn Vargas and Bryan Hu – with great hands. Kai Chen is also a force in the middle.
Unlike Seward, Brooklyn Tech was not supposed to be still playing at the beginning of the season. The Engineers lost almost every regular from last year’s team that made the quarters. Bryan Ryu, a senior outside, did play last year and he’s taken the reins as the team’s top threat. Alex Fevry has emerged as a stellar setter and Anthony Jones can really block in the middle.
No. 3 McKee/Staten Island Tech Seagulls
Head coach: Dave Mahon
Record: 12-0
Player to watch: Mikko Baylosis
No. 6 New Utrecht Utes
H
ead coach: Jennifer Lopez
Record: 14-0
Player to watch: Qing Ze Jiang
Outlook: McKee/Staten Island Tech was expected to be at York College on Saturday. The Seagulls are a mainstay deep in the playoffs under coach Dave Mahon, and with plenty of returners they were deemed to be a city title favorite. In fact, some may say they still are. Justin Dumadag is arguably the city’s best setter, Mikko Baylosis brings experience in the middle and Alex Ratner is versatile on the outside.
New Utrecht, on the other hand, was a long shot to be in the final eight at the season’s outset. The Utes lost star Wei Hao Wu to graduation, but have rallied around each other in a team effort. They will need to continue that philosophy without key senior Lifu Chen, who injured his finger in the first round on Tuesday. It’ll be up to guys like Qing Ze Jiang to pick up the slack.
No. 2 Academy of American Studies Eagles
Head coach: Josh Yang
Record: 11-1
Player to watch: Nino Hot
No. 10 Hunter College HS Hitmen
Head coach: Jason DiBelius
Record: 13-1
Player to watch: Kadeem Nibbs
Outlook: This will be a battle of two teams playing their best volleyball of the season. Academy of American Studies has been red hot, winning tournaments at Cleveland, Bayard Rustin and John F. Kennedy in recent weeks. Nino Hot and Michal Kasza provide serious firepower on the outside, Piotr Kasza is a smooth setter and sophomore Conrad Zajkowski has serious size.
With 6-foot-7 middle Kadeem Nibbs back from injury, Hunter can cause serious problems. Just ask Bronx Science, the team the Hitmen upset in the second round. Between Nibbs and 6-foot-4 Kevin Leu, Hunter might have the most size left in this tournament. Jason DiBelius is also an experienced coach with college jobs on his résumé. The Hitmen will give the Eagles all they can want.
