East Orange Campus High School boys volleyball head coach Eric Ansah reacts during a match last season.
EAST ORANGE, NJ — The East Orange Campus High School boys volleyball team, guided by head coach Eric Ansah, won the Super Essex Conference–Liberty Division championship last season with a 9-1 divisional record and an 18-6 overall record.
This season, the Jaguars are looking to defend their divisional title, despite losing a huge bulk of their team to graduation.
“After a highly successful season last boys volleyball season, I graduated 98% of my varsity, but it was a joy coaching them,” said Ansah. “I have new players that are ready to take on the next challenge of leading the team and carrying on the culture. We have been moved to the ‘A’ division (American Division) in the Super Essex Conference because we won the division.”
The Jaguars defeated Nutley 25-20 and 25-18 in the season opener on Friday, March 27, at EOCHS.
This season’s captains are Noah Miller, Dave Dormevil and Khalil Giscombe, who was the team’s middle from last year. In the season opener, Giscombe had 11 kills and three blocks, and Dormevil had nine kills and eight digs.
“They have all taken the responsibility to lead in different areas of the team,” said Ansah. “Khalil is the anchor of the defense at the net, and Noah has taken the responsibility to properly communicate everything they need to tell me and vice versa. Dave has worked hard to take on the outside hitter position and is the energy of the team.”
Ansah has been impressed with his team’s desire.
“This team this year is just as hungry as last year’s team, and they are dedicated to getting better daily,” he said. “They have impressed me thus far with all the scrimmages we have had this season.”
Ansah is confident that his team will give a strong effort.
“This year, I expect us to be competitive in every game,” he said. “When you compete, you give yourself a great chance to win. Even though this team might be new in terms of experience, they make up for it with their energy and competitive nature.
“I expect players like Engel Varas, Davidson Dormevil, Ky-Marley Mathieson, Ruben Monterrosa, Kaiden Dawson, Anthony Nicolas, Alix Parillon and Nathaniel Labissiere to take the next step in their high school volleyball career and contribute in ways they have not yet done so.”
Note – Ansah won his 100th career game as head coach last season, when the Jaguars defeated Nutley in the first round of the Essex County Tournament.
The Jaguars were scheduled to visit Milburn on Tuesday, March 31, after press time.
The following are other upcoming games:
April 2: Livingston, 4 p.m.
April 8: at East Side, 4 p.m.
April 10: at West Caldwell Tech, 4 p.m.
April 13: at Bloomfield, 4 p.m.
April 15: Belleville, 4 p.m.
April 17: at Science Park, 4 p.m.
May 4: Millburn, 4 p.m.
May 6: at Livingston, 4 p.m.
May 7: at Barringer, 4 p.m.
May 8: at Orange, 4 p.m.
May 11: Science Park, 4 p.m.
May 13: West Caldwell Tech, 4 p.m.
May 14: Paterson Charter, 4 p.m.
May 15: Bloomfield, 4 p.m.
May 18: at Belleville, 4 p.m.
May 19: Hillside, 4 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of shotbysuavee_
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