The Montclair High School boys volleyball team has been on the court six times and has come off of it victorious.
The Mounties are celebrating not only the work this season, but also the last few years as it is coming to fruition in the early going.
“This team is off to one of the best starts. It is great to see our guys playing well and winning,” said Montclair head coach Pam Reilly. “I issued a challenge to these young men at the end of last season to be the team I knew they could be. Thus far, they have responded.”
Stepping Up
Last season Montclair boys volleyball went 11-7. That included a match-ending tough loss at Bloomfield in the Group 4 North state playoffs. Bloomfield would go on to reach the Group 4 North title match.
“Our 11-7 record last year was not indicative of our talent, so I am not surprised,” said Reilly. “Winning is always the goal. The guys want to win the division and the championship.”
In the battle for the Super Essex Conference Liberty Division, both Montclair and Orange were undefeated as of April 15. The Mounties will host Orange on April 22 (4 p.m.) in the first of two matches this season. Montclair travels to Orange on May 10 (4 p.m.).
In terms of the Essex County Tournament, Montclair could be in for a run. Last season, Bloomfield reached the ECT finals and lost to Livingston, the perennial county powerhouse, while West Caldwell Tech could be another team to watch.
Strong Team
The strength for the team is a bunch of returning players from the varsity last season including a pair of outside hitters and two middle blockers led by senior outside hitter Sam Korenbaum who was named to the All SEC Liberty first team. In addition, junior outside hitter Benjamin Welsh and junior middle blocker Nnamdi Emehelu were part of the All Liberty second team in 2023.
With a good group of players back this season, the offense is strong while ‘versatility’ in scoring is progressing led by Korenbaum and Welsh. “Our offensive versatility is something that is still developing but is a definite asset,” said Reilly. “We have four-plus hitters who can put the ball on the floor.”
Korenbaum, who averaged five kills and three digs last season, has put up stats slightly lower in the early going, but it is his defense that has improved after a quality season in goal for the Montclair ice hockey team. “Sam Korenbaum has stepped up defensively this year and perhaps this can be attributed to the reflexes he uses while in goal,” said Reilly. “He has struggled a bit offensively, partly due to setting continuity and partly due to decision making. We are expecting him to get into his comfort zone quickly. Sam is confident in his abilities. No change in position.”
Welsh has improved on and off the court. The junior has averaged 10 kills as the best Mounties offensive force so far this season. “Ben Welsh has taken on more of a leadership role and with his words and his game,” said Reilly. “He has been our most consistent attacker and has moved to the number one attack position.”
On Defense
While Korenbaum was between the pipes for the Mounties ice hockey team, Emehelu played on the pitch for the Montclair boys soccer team and is one of the top middle blockers on the boys volleyball team. “Nnamdi Emehelu has been a solid defensive performer just as he was on the soccer field,” said the Montclair head boys volleyball coach. “He can hit a variety of attacks and we are working with our second contact guys to fine tune their delivery of these specialty sets.”
Joining Emehelu in the middle blocker position is Patrick Reesch. “Patrick was a one-man showstopper in the season opener against Belleville (2-1, April 1) with second blocks, including assisted,” added the Montclair head coach.
Another returnee that has been one of the reasons for the fast start is senior setter Christopher Borden. He has averaged 11 assists per game last season while averaging a dozen assists in the early going this spring. “Christophen Borden will be the guy with his hands on most second contacts in the first three rotations. He is working hard to be the ultimate distributor for a variety of offensive threats,” said Reilly. “Chris brings great energy and positivity that is much needed in a game of such grand momentum swings.”
Up and Comers
In addition, the Mounties have another up-and-coming setter in junior Brad Gibbons who moves over from libero/defensive specialist and sets for his club volleyball team. “We hope he will settle in quickly and develop continuity with the hitters,” added Reilly. Gibbons is averaging 10 assists per contest.
Junior libero/defensive specialist Nathaniel Sena has seen an increase in floor time. “Nathaniel Sena has been a pleasant surprise,” said Reilly. Sena had 18 digs in the 2-1 victory over East Orange on April 10 along with 11 digs in the 2-0 win over Payne Tech on April 12. “After getting off to a sluggish start, he has been a solid passer, and his back row defense has been phenomenal.”
And one of the top up-and-coming underclassmen is sophomore setter/right-side hitter Ryan Yi.
“He has boundless energy and puts up a quality ball for a youngster,” added the Montclair head coach. “He is also a smart hitter and solid defender at the net and in the backcourt.”
Juniors, Evan Melanson and Zachary Singer, will also see some time on the varsity court.
Montclair Boys Volleyball Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m. unless noted)
April 19 at Irvington
April 20 Tournament at West Orange, 8:30 a.m.
April 22 Orange
April 23 at Clifton
April 24 Essex County Tournament, TBD
April 30 Essex County Tournament, TBD
May 3 Essex County Tournament, TBD
May 6 at East Orange
May 8 Barringer
May 10 Essex County Tournament Finals, TBD
May 13 Payne Tech
May 15 at West Orange
May 16 Piscataway, 4:15 p.m.