As the Norwood boys volleyball team surpasses the midway point of the season, the team has yet to record a win (at press time), but despite not breaking into the win column Coach Paul Nimblett is not all that worried. Having no seniors gracing the Mustang roster, the Norwood coach likes what he has seen from the underclassmen.

“This is one of the youngest teams that I have ever had,” Nimblett said. “It is definitely a rebuilding year, but they are getting better as the year progresses. Although an inexperienced team, we are playing close sets and just recently they took a set from Norton, who is playing with nine seniors.”

Coming into the season, Nimblett knew that Norwood was going to be a young team and although the team has not been able to secure a win as of yet, he is very optimistic with the progress they have been making. During the first half of the season, Norwood has already gone up against a majority of the teams that they will see again later in the season. 

“We have gone up against a lot of senior laden teams and have taken our lumps,” the Norwood coach said. “Hopefully come the second half of the season, we will be able to win some sets against these teams.”

Nimblett will be relying heavily on his three juniors to help lead the team into the future. Nathan Karvitz and Akeem Cohen are both three-year players who have improved their game over the years. Karvitz was a hitter last year, but the coach was in need of a setter this spring, so the junior made the move. Unfortunately, he was out for the team’s first four games with an ankle injury, but since his return Norwood had been playing a lot better.

Cohen, an outside hitter, the team’s strongest attacker, possesses a good serve and can play all around for the Mustangs. The third junior is Dejvi Caushllari, a very athletic individual but new to the sport of volleyball. According to Nimblett, he has been playing libero and not only has he been getting better on a daily basis, he has impressed the coach with his quick learning of the game. 

Following the juniors, the Mustangs have a number of sophomores who have shown incredible potential on the court. Luke Fleming, who comes from a volleyball family, opened the season as the team’s setter while Karvitz was sidelined and although he performed well, he is much better suited as a hitter. During the Norton game, he had eight kills for the Mustangs.

Another sophomore middle hitter who has performed well had been Cyril Randall. Playing along side Fleming, Nimblett is looking for big things from the two.

“Last year as freshman they were both part of our rotation and were getting more playing time than most freshman would normally get,” the coach said. “They are both basketball players and I am hoping for bigger things this year as sophomores.”

One other sophomore who has stepped up their game from last year is Sambhav Niraula. Freshmen John Connell has made a name for himself on the court during his first season while James Cushing has seen some playing time as well.  Sophomore Brayden Jenkins will also see some action on the court for the Mustangs.

Knowing that the team’s numbers were going to be relatively low this spring, Nimblett applied and was granted a waiver for eighth graders to take part in the sport this spring. 

“Having a few eighth graders learn the game on the varsity level this year will bring experience next year,” Nimblett said. “The experience of playing against top quality competition will help their game in the long run.”

Three eighth graders have joined the team this season and should be improved by the time they get to high school next fall. Yeiden Perez-Camacho, Gavin Londergan, and Ben Baranowski, who is 6’ 3”, will bring future height to the team. The trio are getting playing time and reps in practice and hopefully will be able to help get Norwood moving in the right direction come next year.

“The future of Norwood volleyball is bright if they all stick with the game ,” the Mustang coach said. “They are young but are all hard workers and want to improve. They enjoy the game even though we have not been winning, but they all believe in what we are trying to do here.”

Having no seniors on this year’s squad Nimblett will be returning his entire team next year, which would bode well for the program, especially as a lot of their opposition will be graduating a large number of senior players. 

“I told this team early on that the season is a process and journey and even though we are not winning right now we are getting better playing against good teams,” Nimblett said. “They are all getting playing time and gaining confidence while playing for a varsity team. They are soaking it in and want to get better.”