May 4, 2026
By Maddie Scherzer
Staff Writer
The boys volleyball team is off to a strong start with a 9-3 record as of April 27.
Showing significant progress since last season, when the team completed its regular season with an 11-14 record and lost in the first round of states, senior setter Maks Dmochowski said he attributes the team’s success to its improved attitude.
“We’re really just working way harder, trying a lot more, wanting to win more. Last year, we just had fun. This year’s different. We want to be more competitive,” Dmochowski said.
Dmochowski, who has been on varsity since his freshman year, said the team can continue progressing by correcting faults from practices and games.
“It’s just [about] eliminating mistakes and working harder [and] more as a team [by] gaining chemistry,” Dmochowski said.
Despite its success, the team suffered a setback in a home game against Paterson Charter High School. The team won the game 2-0, but senior outside hitter Jan Lesnicki incurred a mild ankle sprain in the first set of the game after landing on his opponent’s foot when blocking him.
Lesnicki, who has been on varsity for three years and holds the school record for most kills and aces, is currently unable to play due to his injury, but is set to return on May 7.
“[You] can’t just rely on one player. Everyone has to do their part.”
Lesnicki said the players remain positive and progress-driven.
“Everyone’s motivating each other. There’s no hate around the team,” Lesnicki said. “[During practices, we] get in the gym, set up the net, get into passing drills [and] hitting drills and do some conditioning at the end.”
Lesnicki said the team still has work to do.
“We need to know where we are on the court and who will be passing the ball,” Lesnicki said.
Sophomore libero and defensive specialist James Sinen, who was promoted to varsity at the end of last season, said volleyball is grounded in teamwork.
“[You] can’t just rely on one player. Everyone has to do their part,” Sinen said.
He said that, with Dmochowski and Lesnicki, as well as defensive specialist Alan Estrada and outside opposite hitter Luca Rodriguez, graduating in June, the team will be looking for new athletes to step up next season.
“Other people should participate [in this sport] because volleyball is still really small for men, [but] it’s expanding,” Sinen said.
First-year Head Coach Kesack, who was an assistant coach for the past seven seasons, said a lack of early training opportunities has shaped how the players develop their skills.
“There really is no rec[reation] program for boys to play in, so when they come to high school, they come with no understanding of how to play the game…. They [haven’t] learn[ed] any bad habits, [so I’m] able to teach them from scratch,” Kesack said.
He described the team as gritty, with players treating every point as if it were their last and putting in their best effort.
“I feel a good vibe this year,” Kesack said “We’re building something strong, and [I] think it’s going to be able to carry us to some good things this year.”
