SJV boys volleyball team poised for another big season
April 4, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
It may seem odd, but by the end of the season coach Jessica Gadaleta wants to feel unneeded when it comes to her St. John Vianney, Holmdel, boys’ volleyball team.
“We know our team functions best when I make myself irrelevant, when the team takes control of itself and they hold each other responsible; and when they can see and recognize those in-game adjustments,” Gadaleta said. “That’s what we’re working towards. If we can do those things by early May, we’ve got as good a chance as any to put another banner on the wall.”
Gadaleta is too good of a coach to ever lose relevance, but the message is clear. With a veteran group returning from a team that went 23-6 and won its second straight NJSIAA South Jersey Group I championship last year, the coach realizes things should be instinctual for her team when matches come down to crunch time.
“We feel good about where we’re positioned and the work we’ve been doing,” she said. “We’ve been blessed with an incredible group of athletes. We’re gonna take them as far as they want to go. They have to take control.”
Gadaleta noted that senior Peter Gioacchini, juniors Dominick Fuoco, Alex Cardenas, Troy Sheerin and Isaiah Boone have been varsity players since they were freshmen. During that time the Lancers went 46-10 with one Group 1 state championship, two South Jersey sectional crowns and two Shore Conference B North Division titles.
“We’ve had the opportunity to watch them grow up together,” she said. “What we’ve seen early on this season we’ve been encouraged by.
“Last year we came up just short but that gave us something to work for in the off-season. They’ve come in hungry and on a mission. We’re impressed by the way this group has responded.”
The early response had SJV at 4-0 entering its Apr. 3 match with Middletown South.
A key to the start has been Gioacchini at setter. The playmaker has 64 assists in six sets.
“He’s our quarterback; he’s been responsible for the young guys speeding up their development,” Gadaleta said. “I couldn’t ask for a better captain and leader. I had his sisters on the girls team and I think he competes with them a little. His older sister Cara won a Shore Conference championship, he had to one up her and win a state championship.”
One of Gioacchini’s best traits is his ability to see the floor and understand his teammates strengths.
“Peter kind of flows with the game,” Gadaleta said. “He combines everything – athleticism, intelligence and is a team-oriented guy. He’s become much more offensively minded as a senior. He’s grown in confidence as a hitter. He adds a new dimension to our game plan.”
Sheerin is Outside Hitter 1 and Boone is OH2. They combined for 315 kills last year and have 42 kills and 33 digs this season.
“They’re a little older, a little wiser and definitely stronger,” Gadaleta said. “Isaiah is a more explosive player where Troy is the more balanced and dynamic attacker. They really are a nice complement to each other.”
Playing in the middle are Fuoco, a primary attacker who has 22 assists, and junior Luciano Naimoli, who is a dominant blocker.
“They see the block really well and can move the ball around,” Gadaleta said. “It’s another nice balance. Lucky’s strength is defense and Dom is more offensive.”
Replacing All-Conference performer Nick Huzar is sophomore Justin Togans (10 kills), who has transferred his basketball shot blocking skill to the volleyball court.
“He’s a natural blocker, he finds the ball really well and his offense has really come on,” Gadaleta said. “He’s super competitive and when he locks in, he’s a difference maker.”
Cardenas (28 digs), who missed the start of last season due to injury, is healthy and “the kind of kid you want at libero,” according to the coach. “He’s absolutely fearless. He’ll stand back there and stare down his hitters and make some breathtaking plays.”
Also in the rotation are junior Dominick Blunda as a back row defensive specialist and sophomore George Farah as a serve specialist.
Gadaleta said the focus in practice has been getting the players to transition from defense to offense “so they’re earning second and third chance swings.” There has also been an emphasis on tougher serving and the coach feels progress is being made in both areas.
“They just have a good sense of chemistry,” she said. “A bunch of them are teammates from the soccer team, we have kids from the basketball and hockey teams. It’s a group that generally enjoys spending time together and I think you can see that when they play.”
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It may seem odd, but by the end of the season coach Jessica Gadaleta wants to feel unneeded when it comes to her St. John Vianney, Holmdel, boys’ volleyball team.
“We know our team functions best when I make myself irrelevant, when the team takes control of itself and they hold each other responsible; and when they can see and recognize those in-game adjustments,” Gadaleta said. “That’s what we’re working towards. If we can do those things by early May, we’ve got as good a chance as any to put another banner on the wall.”
Gadaleta is too good of a coach to ever lose relevance, but the message is clear. With a veteran group returning from a team that went 23-6 and won its second straight NJSIAA South Jersey Group I championship last year, the coach realizes things should be instinctual for her team when matches come down to crunch time.
“We feel good about where we’re positioned and the work we’ve been doing,” she said. “We’ve been blessed with an incredible group of athletes. We’re gonna take them as far as they want to go. They have to take control.”
Gadaleta noted that senior Peter Gioacchini, juniors Dominick Fuoco, Alex Cardenas, Troy Sheerin and Isaiah Boone have been varsity players since they were freshmen. During that time the Lancers went 46-10 with one Group 1 state championship, two South Jersey sectional crowns and two Shore Conference B North Division titles.
“We’ve had the opportunity to watch them grow up together,” she said. “What we’ve seen early on this season we’ve been encouraged by.
“Last year we came up just short but that gave us something to work for in the off-season. They’ve come in hungry and on a mission. We’re impressed by the way this group has responded.”
The early response had SJV at 4-0 entering its Apr. 3 match with Middletown South.
A key to the start has been Gioacchini at setter. The playmaker has 64 assists in six sets.
“He’s our quarterback; he’s been responsible for the young guys speeding up their development,” Gadaleta said. “I couldn’t ask for a better captain and leader. I had his sisters on the girls team and I think he competes with them a little. His older sister Cara won a Shore Conference championship, he had to one up her and win a state championship.”
One of Gioacchini’s best traits is his ability to see the floor and understand his teammates strengths.
“Peter kind of flows with the game,” Gadaleta said. “He combines everything – athleticism, intelligence and is a team-oriented guy. He’s become much more offensively minded as a senior. He’s grown in confidence as a hitter. He adds a new dimension to our game plan.”
Sheerin is Outside Hitter 1 and Boone is OH2. They combined for 315 kills last year and have 42 kills and 33 digs this season.
“They’re a little older, a little wiser and definitely stronger,” Gadaleta said. “Isaiah is a more explosive player where Troy is the more balanced and dynamic attacker. They really are a nice complement to each other.”
Playing in the middle are Fuoco, a primary attacker who has 22 assists, and junior Luciano Naimoli, who is a dominant blocker.
“They see the block really well and can move the ball around,” Gadaleta said. “It’s another nice balance. Lucky’s strength is defense and Dom is more offensive.”
Replacing All-Conference performer Nick Huzar is sophomore Justin Togans (10 kills), who has transferred his basketball shot blocking skill to the volleyball court.
“He’s a natural blocker, he finds the ball really well and his offense has really come on,” Gadaleta said. “He’s super competitive and when he locks in, he’s a difference maker.”
Cardenas (28 digs), who missed the start of last season due to injury, is healthy and “the kind of kid you want at libero,” according to the coach. “He’s absolutely fearless. He’ll stand back there and stare down his hitters and make some breathtaking plays.”
Also in the rotation are junior Dominick Blunda as a back row defensive specialist and sophomore George Farah as a serve specialist.
Gadaleta said the focus in practice has been getting the players to transition from defense to offense “so they’re earning second and third chance swings.” There has also been an emphasis on tougher serving and the coach feels progress is being made in both areas.
“They just have a good sense of chemistry,” she said. “A bunch of them are teammates from the soccer team, we have kids from the basketball and hockey teams. It’s a group that generally enjoys spending time together and I think you can see that when they play.”