Ram Vballers’ first season coming to an end with lots of learning coming with ups & downs
October 16, 2024 at 11:20 p.m.
Be careful what you wish for. Because the Rams’ first volleyball team got what they wished for—a chance to play varsity ball this year, but it didn't turn out the way they wanted it to record-wise and otherwise.
That’s because high school varsity volleyball is very different and much faster-paced than the way the game is played on a club team level or as part of a high school physical education class.
VB ups and downs
As the Ram Vballers found out in losses against Brewster and Ossining (both twice), New Rochelle and Somers, going 0-6 without winning a single set in 3-0 shutout losses during their first fall season against teams with comparable talent levels.
But they did get around to beating Hastings twice away and at home in their latest games last Thursday (10/10) and Tuesday (10/15), so they are trending in the right direction after the back-to-back wins.
And they have another game coming up against Carmel next Thursday (10/24) at home at 4:30 p.m. before the fall season ends.
The learning season
So it hasn't been a total loss because the fall season has seen Ram players rise to the occasion on various levels during what amounts to a learning season with a lot of falling upwards.
Jonathan Tenesaca sets the ball in Port Chester’s Sept. 27 home volleyball loss to Brewster.By Joseph DeCarlo
Nick Wolff, for example, has been a game changer on blocks up front. Andrew Abraham and Gabriel Franco have shown real talent as Vballers. Franco and Daniel Ebol have been extra impressive as middle blockers. Shawn Cheriyan and Sean Heffernan have been consistently solid as has Noah Concepcion, Richard Jimenez and Frankie Limaci.Christian Yupanqui made the play of the season with an impressive diving dig, save and pass from out of bounds in one of the games against Hastings. And senior Felix Perez has been the voice, heart and soul of the team.
Sees better days ahead
The team has worked, practiced and played hard, according to head coach Jhonattan Cortez, a Greenwich entrepreneur who played a lot of Vball during his U.S. Army days at Fort Benning, Georgia, and has coached a lot of Vball teams in and around Port Chester in places ranging from the Carver Center to Stamford, Conn.
"What else can I say, volleyball has become a very big part of my life," Cortez said. "And we're trending in the right direction with our two latest wins as the fall season winds down."
The petition works
Cortez was one of the prime movers behind a petition to give the Vballers a chance to play as varsity Rams. James Ryan, the Port Chester athletic director, concurred. Cortez got the necessary certifications. And the Rams have taken their first baby steps as a varsity team, going through the drills and practices while playing the game with a lot of heart.
Noah Concepcion passes the ball in the Rams’ Sept. 27 volleyball game versus Brewster.By Joseph DeCarlo
And the team has come a long way with a roster that includes Sebastiano Anzovino, Jeancarlo Gonzalez, Angel Mata, Felix Perez, Rodrigo Pinzon, Daniel Policarpo, Eduardo Sanchez, Jonathan Tenesaca, Alexander Van der Wateren, Jake Vasquez and Alex Vishco.
They knew it wasn't going to be easy. And it hasn't been.
But they got what they wished for—a chance to play the game they love on a varsity level.
And they think they will do a lot better next year.
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