By Tyler J. Scott ’12
THE ROUNDUP

Brophy’s Volleyball season is under way with a slow start as the varsity squad has lost their first two matches to Highland and Salpointe Catholic as of The Roundup’s print deadline March 19.

They had “a poorer finish than we wanted in the Wolf Howl Invitational in the beginning of March,” sophomore starter Nick Benson ’12 wrote in an e-mail.

The team is returning six varsity starters this year including Benson, Josh Burkholder ’10, Taylor Bouve ’10, Matt Pohlman ’11, Sean Brady ’10 and Niko Panagiotakopolous ’10.

Benson said that he expects the team to be in the top eight in the power rankings come the state tournament.

The team is coached by head coach Mr. Tony Oldani and assistant coaches Mr. Andy Schmidbauer, Stephanie Preach, Julia Bonadio and Bridget Bohman.

Assistant coach Mr. Schmidbauer said he has, “full expectations of challenging for a state championship,” and it would be disappointing if they didn’t make the playoffs and “make some noise.”

He also said this year’s team has a lot of people who are young to the volleyball program, like Tyler Miller ’11 and Chris Erdely ’11.

“The team this year is different than the team last year in terms of teamwork.

Also, we have a lot of kids on the team that are either completely new to the game, relatively new to the game or are new to the varsity level of this game.

The team this year is tighter than the team last year was,” Benson wrote when asked about the difference between this team and last year’s team.

Mr. Schmidbauer stressed the region’s toughness and the critical role of power points in the state.

Mr. Schmidbauer said that because of power points and a tough schedule, the team needs to start winning now in order to earn a playoff berth.

The toughness of the Bronco’s region makes it difficult to finish high in the Power Rankings but as Benson wrote, “Once we get to the state playoffs, we take it one match at a time.”