All-Decade Eastern Mass. boys volleyball team

The Boston Herald presents its Eastern Mass. All-Decade boys volleyball team. The team consists of 33 of the premier players over the last 10 years as well as our coach and player of the decade selections.

PLAYER OF THE DECADE

Jalen Penrose, Cambridge, 2010-2013

A two-time Dual County MVP, Penrose was part of a state championship team in 2012, finishing the season with a .404 hitting percentage, 580 kills, 80 aces and 79 stuff blocks. As a senior, the 6-foot-8 outside hitter tallied 476 kills, giving him a career total of 1,422.

After Cambridge: Penrose played at Penn State from 2015-2018 where he was one of the premier servers in the country. As a senior, he finished fourth in the country in aces and was honored as OTB Server of the Year. He ended his career with 495 kills and 111 aces.

Penrose is currently playing professional volleyball for the WWK Volleys Herrsching in Germany.

COACH OF THE DECADE

David Powell, Needham, 2010-2019

He arrived from Norwood in 2010 and immediately turned the Rockets into a state power. Needham made the tournament in each of his 10 years over the decade, winning a state title, appearing in the state finals on two other occasions, while capturing five South sectional championships. His record for the decade was 201-33 for a winning percentage of .859.

ALL-DECADE TEAM

Michael Antonellis, Milford, 2011-2014

Antonellis was superb in his final two seasons at Milford. He recorded 326 kills, 196 serve receives and 161 digs in leading Milford to the state final as a junior. Antonellis was even better as a senior, tallying 429 kills, 94 blocks and 223 digs.

After Milford: Antonellis attended UMass from 2014-2018, earning a bachelor’s in journalism.

Henry Brandt, Natick, 2010-2013

A two-time Herald All-Scholastic, Brandt was one of the more dominant outside hitters in the area. In his final two seasons, Brandt averaged more than 17 kills a match. As a senior, Brandt recorded a season-high 28 kills against Wellesley.

After Natick: Brandt competed on the AVP America outdoor volleyball circuit.

Drew Caruso, Haverhill, 2009-2012

A two-time All-Scholastic middle hitter, Caruso was part of a Haverhill team which went to the state final in 2011 and sectional final a year later. For his career, Caruso amassed 578 kills, 221 digs, 144 blocks and 63 aces.

After Haverhill: Caruso attended Lasell College where he played volleyball from 2013-2015, amassing 453 kills in 86 matches.

Diondre Charros-Gomes, Greater New Bedford, 2013-2016

A two-time Southern Alliance Player of the Year, the senior outside hitter was part of one of the premier programs in the south. Charros-Gomes concluded his stellar career with 507 kills, 273 digs, 63 aces and 42 blocks.

After GNB: Charron-Gomes played volleyball at Dean College in 2017-2018 where he registered 338 kills in 25 matches.

Jared Chin, Newton South, 2012-2015

A standout setter, Chin was the Dual County League Player of the Year as a junior in helping the Lions take home the state title. Chin finished that season with 640 assists, 141 digs, 42 aces and 16 blocks. A year later, Newton South reached the South semifinals as Chin recorded 787 assists, 189 digs and 49 aces.

After Newton South: Chin played at Stevenson University in Maryland, graduating with a degree in business administration and management.

Matthew Chin, Framingham, 2014-2017

Chin was a key component behind Framingham’s first state volleyball title in 2016. A junior outside hitter, Chin served at an 85.9 percent clip and had a kill percentage of 38.2. As a senior, Chin won 124 points on serve, with 22 aces, while recording 354 kills for a Framingham team that went 13-6 and reached the Division 1 Central semifinals.

After Framingham: Chin is a junior at the University of New Haven majoring in civil engineering.

Jake Connors, Newton North, 2013-2016

A four-year starter for one of the top boys volleyball programs in the state, Connors helped guide the Tigers to back-to-back sectional semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2016. Connors ranks among Newton North’s all-time leaders with more than 1,000 digs.

After Newton North: Connors went to the University of Rutgers-Newark. As a senior in 2010, Connors led the team in digs with 103.

Trevor Dow, Needham/Choate Hall, 2011-2015

A three-year starter for the Rockets, the 6-foot-9 middle hitter amassed 283 kills and 70 blocks in helping his team capture the South sectional title in his junior year. Dow spent the final two years at Choate Hall, ending his career with more than 1,500 kills.

After Needham/Choate Hall: Dow played at Harvard from 2016-2019, registering 464 kills for the Crimson.

Gavin Emenaker, Newton North, 2017-2020

One of the premier setters of the decade, Emenaker was superb in 2019 in leading the Tigers to a South sectional title. A two-time All-State selection, Emenaker racked up 849 assists, 293 digs, 218 kills, 70 blocks and 54 aces.

After Newton North: Emenaker will play his college volleyball at Endicott College.

Jack Fletcher, Wayland, 2014-2017

Fletcher was a two-time Herald All-Scholastic, notching 302 kills and 26 aces as a junior. A year later, Fletcher was credited with 496 kills, 356 digs, 60 aces and 37 blocks in propelling the Warriors to a 23-3 record and a berth in the state finals.

After Wayland: Fletcher is a three-year member of the men’s soccer team at Colby College.

Ariel Frias, Lawrence, 2008-2011

A two-time All-Scholastic, Frias was the team MVP as a junior, registering 430 assists in leading the Lancers to the North semifinals. A year later, Frias upped his assists total to 735 to go along with 60 kills and 45 blocks.

After Lawrence: Frias played college volleyball at Daniel Webster College where he earned a bachelor’s in sports and fitness administration/management.

Asa Greenaway, Wayland, 2015-2018

Greenaway was a force as a junior in leading Wayland to the state finals. He dished out 826 assists and had 51 blocks as the Wildcats went 23-3. In his final season, Greenaway guided Wayland to an 18-5 season and a berth in the North semifinal.

After Wayland: Greenaway is a junior at Lehigh majoring in finance and accounting.

Andy Henriquez, Lawrence, 2012-2015

A standout setter, Henriquez had 654 assists, 150 kills and 85 blocks as a junior in leading Lawrence to the North final. He earned MVP honors in the Merrimack Valley Conference as a senior, finishing the season with 646 assists and 126 kills.

After Lawrence: Henriquez played at Lasell from 2016-2019, where he recorded 2,525 assists.

Josh Horenstein, Newton South, 2008-2011

Horenstein played a key role in helping the Lions advance to the state semifinals in 2010, finishing with 257 kills, 225 digs and 21 aces. A year later, Horenstein upped his numbers to 401 kills, 261 digs, 44 blocks and 40 aces as the Lions reached the South sectional finals.

After Newton South: Horenstein graduated from the University of Delaware in 2015 with a bachelor of science in finance/economics.

Skyler Kaufman, Needham, 2012-2015

Needham’s march to the state title in 2015 was due in large part to the 6-foot-9 senior middle hitter. The team’s co-MVP, Kaufman was a tower of strength at the net as he recorded 409 kills that season.

After Needham: Kaufman played college volleyball at MIT from 2016-2019 where he amassed 908 kills in 374 sets.

Brian Keogh. St. John’s Prep, 2010-2013

The team MVP as a junior, Keogh had 362 kills in leading St. John’s Prep to an 18-4 record and a spot in the sectional semifinals. Despite missing some time with an injury as a senior, Keogh recorded 394 kills as the Eagles made it to the North sectional finals.

After SJP: Keogh attended UMass-Lowell where he graduated in 2017 with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

Matt Kuda, Chelmsford, 2012-2015

Kuda had a terrific junior campaign at middle hitter, finishing the season with 319 kills, 87 blocks and 23 aces. Despite missing part of his senior year with an ankle injury, Kuda returned in time to lead the Lions to the North sectional title. He ended his career with 585 kills and 172.5 blocks.

After Chelmsford: Kuda played club volleyball at Boston College where he graduated in 2015 with a BA in computer science and communication.

Joseph Kuykendall, Andover, 2009-2012

A three-time Merrimack Valley Conference, amassed 873 kills and 872 assists for the Golden Warriors. As a junior, the star outside hitter registered 283 kills, 304 assists, 47 aces, 56 blocks and 235 digs. Kuykendall wrapped his career with a stellar senior season, one in which he finished with 471 kills, 59.5 blocks and 268 assists.

After Andover: Kuykendall graduated from James Madison in 2016 with a bachelor’s in sports and recreational management.

Andrew Lutz, St. John’s Prep, 2007-2010

A member of the 2008 state championship team, Lutz played a key role in getting the Eagles back to the finals a year later as he recorded 333 kills and 100 blocks. As a senior, Lutz finishing with 412 kills, 67 aces and 72 blocks, leading St. John’s Prep to a 22-win season and the state semifinals.

After St. John’s Prep: Lutz played from 2013-2015 at Ohio State, finishing with 643 kills. His 3.48 kills per set ranks among the top 20 in school history.

Max Marolda, Lincoln-Sudbury, 2013-2016

Marolda had a big junior season with 309 hits, 234 service receives, 199 blocks, 168 digs and 17 aces in leading the Warriors to the Central sectional title. As a senior, Marolda compiled 282 kills with a kill percentage of 48.0 for the Warriors, who went 20-3, won the league title and advanced to the Division 1 Central final.

After Lincoln-Sudbury: Marolda attended Loyola University in Maryland.

Brett Olen, Natick, 2016-2019

Olen played a large part in Natick’s march to the 2019 state final as he tallied 643 kills, 99 digs, 37 blocks and 27 aces on the season. As a junior, Olen had 727 assists, 59 digs and 17 aces, finishing with an 88 percent service average as the Redhawks won the Central sectional title.

After Natick: Olen is a student at San Diego State University.

Brett Pettis, Haverhill, 2008-2011

A four-year starter for the Hillies, Pettis was the Player of the Year in the Merrimack Valley Conference in 2011 as he tallied 280 kills, 154 digs and 41 assists in leading his team to the state final. As a junior, Pettis had 253 kills, 28 blocks, 32 aces and 123 digs.

After Haverhill: Pettis played at Emmanuel College from 2012-2015 where he was named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference squad three times.

Andrei Rakitin, Lincoln-Sudbury, 2012-2015

Rakitin was one of the keys behind Lincoln-Sudbury’s run to the Central title in 2015 as he had 160 digs, 135 kills and 29 aces. A year earlier, Rakitin amassed 250 kills, 157 digs, 139 service points, 117 blocks and 25 aces.

After Lincoln-Sudbury: Rakitin graduated from Cornell University in 2019.

Alex Raskind, Needham, 2012-2015

A three-time Bay State Conference All-Star, Raskind had 657 assists and 87 blocks in leading the Rockets to an undefeated season and a state title in 2015. Raskind left as the school’s all-time leader in assists (2,072) and the Rockets were 68-5 with him in the lineup.

After Needham: Raskind graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 with a bachelor’s in actuarial mathematics.

Kelvin Rivera, Framingham, 2013-2016

A two-time All-Scholastic, Rivera led Framingham to a state title in 2016. He connected on 77.4 percent of his serves, 53.1 percent of his kills and registered a hitting percentage of 44.8. As a junior, Rivera had 417 kills, 147 digs, 46 aces and 30 blocks.

After Framingham: Rivera spent the 2018 season at Carthage College where he was named MCVL Rookie of the Year and All-Conference Second Team after finishing second on the team in kills (127) and third in aces (16).

Simon Shulman, Needham, 2013-2016

A two-time Bay State Conference All-Star, Shulman was the school’s all-time leader in digs with 1,500. The team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior, Shulman registered 437 digs in leading the Rockets to the Division 1 state finals.

After Needham: Shulman graduated with a bachelor’s in biology from UMass.

Zachary Sindoni, Haverhill, 2009-2012

Sindoni had a superb junior year in 2011, handing out 689 assists and adding 135 digs and 106 kills. As a senior, Sindoni had 592 assists, 170 digs, 56 kills, 31 aces and 11 blocks as he earned the Most Valuable Player award in the Merrimack Valley Conference. Sindoni ended his career with a school-record 1,268 assists and 476 digs.

After Haverhill: Sindoni played volleyball and soccer at Regis College.

Henok Tilahun, Cambridge, 2012-2015

A three-time Dual County League All-Star, Tilahun amassed 638 assists, 138 digs and 36 aces as a junior. The setter dished out 725 assists, won 225 service points, blasted 81 aces and had 155 digs as a senior, giving him a career total of 1,283 assists.

After Cambridge: Tilahun attended Southern New Hampshire University to major in information technology. He made the school’s President List in 2019.

Jose Vargas, Lawrence, 2008-2011

Vargas amassed more than 400 kills and 240 blocks in his final two seasons as Lawrence made it to the North semifinals in his junior year and the sectional final in his last year as a Lancer.

After Lawrence: Vargas played volleyball at Daniel Webster College from 2012-2016.

Eli Wallace, Needham, 2015-2018

A three-time Bay State Conference All-Star, Wallace ended his career with 2,762 assists, 161 kills, 91 blocks and 77 aces. As a senior, Wallace played a key role in leading the Rockets to the state championship contest.

After Needham: Wallace is a sophomore majoring in accounting at the University of Maryland.

Max Waltzman, Natick, 2015-2018

A dominant outside hitter, Waltzman was part of Central sectional titles as a junior and senior. He ended his career with 970 kills and 72 blocks. Waltzman played beach volleyball at the World Maccabiah Games in 2017.

After Natick: Waltzman is a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island and played the school’s club team which captured a national title last year.

Luke Westman, Newton North, 2009-2012

The only three-time boys volleyball All-Scholastic this decade, Westman amassed more than 2,000 assists and 250 aces in helping the Tigers capture a pair of South sectional titles.

After Newton North: Westman played at Colby College from 2013-2016 where he amassed 927 and also set a single-season school record for field goal percentage (73.2)

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