Co-op has sights set on deep playoff run

By Chris Villani

The Nipmuc/Blackstone Valley Tech boys’ volleyball co-op could not have scripted a much better start to the season. The team won nine of its first 10 games, and the lone loss came with a shorthanded roster during April vacation week. Head coach Brian Gerard said his team has all the components of a winner.

“We have a lot of firepower, an excellent young setter, and defensively, we are excellent,” Gerard said. “So we have all the pieces we need. It’s just whether we are going to be our best friend or worst enemy in the latter half of the season.”

Sophomore Dolan Comforti is a towering presence at setter, standing six-foot-six.

“He just keeps growing every year, it’s nice to have a big kid like that in the front row,” Gerard said of the BVT student. “He is very strong and he can set just about any ball.”

Another Valley Tech product, co-captain Hadden Houatchanthara, is a strong club player who has become a go-to option for the team when it is in need of a point. 

Nipmuc’s Logan DeMarzo, a senior, has held down the middle and sends opponents ducking when he has the chance to wind up and spike a ball.

“He is very active in the front row and an absolute powerhouse,” Gerard said. “He is scary to dig.”

Also in the middle is BVT’s Miles Guikema, a junior who Gerard said is continuing to improve.

“He is having the best season of all of our hitters to date, he has been unstoppable,” the coach said. “He doesn’t jump as high as Logan in the middle, but he sees everything that is going on in front of him and nobody seems to be able to put enough hands up to stop him.”

The team welcomed back senior Albert Aweh-Hammond, who has battled injuries recently but has been yet another offensive cog for the team. On defense, the trio of Evan Donlon, Miguel Machado, and co-captain Hunter Allen are all playing huge roles this spring.

Over the second half of the season, Gerard said Nipmuc/BVT’s goal is to win the Tri-Valley League and they exited school vacation week undefeated in league play. 

When it comes to the state tournament, Gerard said the only team that can stop Nipmuc/BVT is itself.

“Can we handle the pressure of a deep playoff run?," he said. “We want to get to the final four, and there is no reason we can’t get to the finals. There’s no reason it can’t be us, so we might as well shoot for the stars.”