Boys' Varsity Volleyball Remains Undefeated

6/7/2018

At the beginning of the season, boys' varsity volleyball coach Chanel Flowers wasn't shy about the team's main objective.

"One big goal is not only to make it to the state final, but to bring home the crown," Flowers said at the time.

The Panthers have certainly looked the part early on in 2018, sweeping visiting Berkeley Carroll, 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-18), on April 24 to remain undefeated at 4-0. They currently sit atop the New York City Athletic League (NYCAL) standings.

"Our team was pretty dynamic this evening," Flowers said. "We used our whole roster to grab the win."

Flowers highlighted the play of Noel Gorodetsky and his ability to run the team's offense. Fritz Pingel, Cedar Berrol-Young and Jaiden Feliciano were all an active presence around the net, leading the squad in kills. Isaiah Thompson, a standout basketball player, led the team in aces. Libero August DeBeau anchored the team's defense. Captain Dexter Kalderon, who has battled back from a preseason injury, was a stalwart at left-side hitter.

Masters' roster is overflowing with multi-sport athletes, giving the team a decided competitive edge on the court. In addition to Thompson, there's star soccer player Oladayo Thomas.

"Each athlete brings something different but very special to the team's quality," Flowers said.

The ascendant Panthers announced their arrival with a gritty 3-2 victory over the powerhouse Calhoun School on April 7. It was the only loss of the season thus far for Calhoun, which has won the last three NYCAL championships. Masters' other two wins came over Horace Mann and United Nations International School.

"We set a goal early in the season to train hard while running a particular defensive system and a dynamic offense," Flowers said. "The team trains hard together, they play with heart together and they're sticking to the goal at hand."