Regis is in uncharted territory, not just for its program, but for CHSAA boys volleyball teams across the city.
The Raiders will compete this year in tournaments at Cardozo, Francis Lewis and Horace Mann. The PSAL has long been the superior league – the CHSAA is still in the developing stages of boys volleyball – but Regis has become somewhat of a pioneer.
“We’ve been playing a lot of tournaments and a lot of scrimmages,” coach Alex Chan said. “Apparently everyone wants to play us. It’s good.”
Regis has been extremely successful, winning two of the last three CHSAA city titles. But more importantly, Chan has reached out and bridged the gap. He has long said that he’s about advancing the sport of volleyball and if that means bringing the Raiders success, then he’s pleased with that as a byproduct.
“Opportunities and venues that we didn’t even know about are now being opened to us,” Chan said.
The 10th-year coach has high hopes again this year. Regis graduated top players like John Flanagan, Billy Carballeira and Matt Vuoncino, but there is a returning nucleus that makes the Raiders the CHSAA favorite again. Middle hitter Tom McLaughlin and setters Brian Cavaluzzo and Will Salter all return and will be tri-captains. Chan is also excited about the progression of senior middle/outside hitter Tyler Sellers.
“The quality of my players is just as good if not higher than at this time last year,” the coach said. “I think we have a very solid team on all levels.”
The back row will be anchored by sophomore defensive specialist Brian Dobrowski, the star cross country runner at Regis, who decided to play volleyball instead of run track last spring.
“His natural talent is tremendous,” Chan said. “He’s going to be a key player.”
Last year, the team dealt with some adversity. Midway through the season, the gym at the Upper West Side school was damaged in a fire. It was a scramble to find a gym for Chan after that and Regis, which earned homecourt advantage in the playoffs, didn’t have any to speak of.
The Raiders won the title anyway and now have a bright, shiny new gym to play in. Chan joked that everyone wants to scrimmage Regis now, not because of the team, but because of the new facility.
“It’s a beautiful gym,” he said. “We just happen to come along with it.”
Regis will spend plenty of time away from home, playing in tournaments four weeks in a row during one stretch of the season. That’s the new normal for the budding program.
“I think that’s just a natural progression,” Chan said. … “I think that the team is always looking to use more opportunities to expand the sport more. We always want to go out and play more and be challenged.”
mraimondi@nypost.com
CHSAA, Francis Lewis, coach Alex Chan, volleyball teams, Regis, tournaments, tournaments, Brian Cavaluzzo, Chan, Matt Vuoncino, Regis is in uncharted territory
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