Team work has Howell volleyball team winning
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Howell took everyone by surprise last spring when the Rebels made their varsity debut in boys volleyball.

Despite being a first-year program, the Rebels went 11-8 and made it to the postseason state tournament - a stunning development by any standard.

Coach Jim Huebner's team relied heavily on senior Mike Walsh. The big middle hitter was the team's security blanket. When they needed a point, they just had to pass the ball up to the net and he'd get it. If they needed a stop, he'd come up with the block.

"He was a momentum breaker; he could get you out of trouble," said Huebner.

The Rebels don't have the 6-5 Walsh to bail them out this year, yet they are a better team in '07 - with the emphasis on team.

"We have to work more as a team this year," said Huebner, whose team is off to a 6-3 start. "Overall, we're a much better team."

Huebner pointed to two factors making his team better. First, they are more athletic, and second, they are better skilled. Many of the Rebels played in leagues and went to volleyball camps to make themselves better. That extra time has had its rewards.

"The kids worked on all of their skills and that's a big plus," noted Huebner.

Seniors Michael Dominguez (setter) and Kevin Wilson (opposite) were the team leaders in the offseason who made sure the Rebels were playing in tournaments and attending camps to improve their level of play.

Most teams employ a libero, or defensive specialist. But because the Rebel players are so versatile, they don't need a defensive specialist. That enables them to keep an offensive player on the court at all times.

Adam Feehan (middle hitter), who was the team's best all-around player as a freshman, played the libero role last year. This spring, Huebner has freed him up to play all over the court and he is a big reason that Howell has won six straight matches.

"He's such a talent," remarked Huebner. "He can play any position."

Feehan has been very effective as a server. He can get on a roll and get the Rebels six or seven points in a hurry.

Wilson, 6-2, has become a force at the net as an opposite hitter, and he's also a solid setter from the back row. In one match this year he had 14 assists.

Senior Steve Sylvester, 6-5, has stepped into Walsh's role and is doing a fine job as an outside hitter. He's also developed a very good jump serve that when on, has been very difficult for teams to handle. He's been the team's leading blocker and killer up front.

A pair of newcomers, Mike Krol (outside hitter) and Rob McClintock (middle hitter) have been contributing and getting better with each match. Derek DiPasquale (opposite) and Kenneth Saal (opposite), both juniors, have been coming on strong as well.

In Howell's 25-10, 25-12 win over Toms River North (the team's sixth straight at that point), Sylvester had his big serve working, registering nine service points and eight aces. He had 10 kills, three blocks and two digs in a complete-game performance. Feehan's serve was on as well: he had 11 service winners, including three aces. He had seven kills and nine blocks. Wilson contributed 14 assists to go along with two aces and six service winners.

Playing in the newly formed Shore Conference A North Division, the Rebels find themselves in contention for a championship. They are 5-2 in division play, putting them in first place among the public schools (behind state-ranked, nonpublic school Christian Brothers Academy). Marlboro, Colts Neck, Manchester and Long Branch are the other teams in the division.