HSMSE boys' volleyball team fails to win farewell home game

Evgeni Dobranov - Monicka Chang

The HSMSE boys volleyball team lost their season's last home game against Brandeis, 27-25, 25-19, this past Wednesday at Nat Holman Gym. This home game was very emotional because it was the last home game for three seniors who will graduate this year.

Senior libero Evgeni Dobranov had a productive game with nine digs and four service points. This was his last home game as a member of the team.

“The game felt pretty good,"Dobranov said."It felt good to be home and just to be able to play a little bit more.”

Austin Han and Mateusz Zukowski, the two other seniors, will also be graduating. Junior Nicholas Jorquera said there will be a shift in leadership next year with the absence of these seniors.

“A lot of players will emerge as leaders, obviously the seniors are going to be missed but I guess we have to continue; we’ve done that every year,” Jorquera said.

Jorquera had a fruitful game with four digs and six kills to accompany an ace. Sophomore Yussef Elbagoury also played well with an ace, five kills, and six digs. Despite Wednesday's loss, the production from their younger players show a bright future ahead of them.

Yussef Elbagoury - Monicka Chang

“The most important thing is to win as a team. As the season progresses we’ll hopefully get to hit a lot smarter, [and] as a team we will hopefully destroy some other teams,” Elbagoury said. 

Wednesday’s loss was tough; but that does not stop the HSMSE boys' volleyball team from grinding out some wins to finish the season on a good note. Three valuable players will be missed, but the team is in good hands.
 
Contributed by: Bruce Mayfield, Harry Smith

Hall of Famer Omar Vargas returns to CCNY

Louis Brandeis’ boys’ volleyball coach Jose Omar Vargas returned to CCNY, coaching his team to a narrow 27-25, 25-19 victory over the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering on April 29. Vargas was inducted into CCNY’s Hall of Fame in 2009 after starting the college’s mens’ volleyball team, and winning both the CUNY mens’ and womens’ championships.

Jose Omar Vargas points to his Hall of Fame plaque / N. Diunte

“Quite frankly it is like returning home,” Vargas said.

Brandeis' captain and outside hitter Joel Ortiz played extremely well, recording five digs and nine kills. Vargas praised Ortiz after the game.

“He’s always hustling on the court, talking to the kids and making them better,” Vargas said. “He’s a true leader and I love him for that.”

Vargas has transformed Brandeis into a school where volleyball is a popular sport, with more people trying to make the team. Coach Vargas has also established a work-hard philosophy for the team.

“I have the reputation of being a disciplinarian,” he said. “I’m a nice guy, but I don’t play any games. If you give me your time, I’m going to respect you.”

Although Vargas has retired from teaching at Brandeis, he continues to coach the boys’ volleyball team. He cites his true love for the game as the reason he keeps coaching.

“I’m no longer coaching to win a game, I’m coaching for life,” he said. “That’s my legacy; to make young people better, to appreciate the game, and to enjoy it for life.”

Contributed by Michael Stern and Velid Mulic

HSMSE boys' volleyball outplays Bronx Science "B" team

HSMSE player getting ready for the ball

Kevin Chun is a senior libero for the High School for Math, Science and Engineering boys’ volleyball team. In their scrimmage match against the Bronx High School of Science's "B" team, Chun held off the offense to give the Dragons a win. Chun’s job as a libero is to dig and pass the ball to the setter to set up their offense.

Chun used his quick hands in order to get great digs that kept easy spikes from scoring important points. He had digs that set up the setter which led to great spikes by the outside hitters. Chun was able to keep the game going when balls went out of bounds and when the team couldn’t get to the ball in time. Chun used his communication skills to call the ball in order to limit confusion. The lack of communication was eminent in the beginning of the game until Chun started calling his passes. He was also superb in serving. He had three aces and all of his serves were inbound. His accuracy was spot on and he visibly aimed for the center of the court, Bronx Science’s weakness.

Chun should be commended for his amazing hustle. When the team lost interest in a supposedly out of bounds ball, Chun would move quickly to the back court to save the ball. He gave hope to the team as he constantly kept the ball alive and gave the team more chances to score. “[My game play] will keep the game alive and give us more chances,” said Chun when asked about how his game play will affect the season.