Another year, another title for East Brunswick volleyball team
Bears win sixth state title in last nine years
BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer

There's domination, and then there's the East Brunswick High School volleyball team.

For the sixth time in the past nine years, the Bears captured the overall NJSIAA state championship, besting St. Peter's Prep 2-0 over the weekend. That brought EBHS's record to 29-2, and gave seven-year coach Greg Rutz an almost incomprehensible mark of 193-15 during his tenure.

The Bears' only two defeats came at the hands of Southern Regional High School, which they avenged in the semifinals, handing SRHS its only loss of the campaign.

For Rutz, the secret to his team's success is actually quite simple.

"I think we have the most kids who are involved in volleyball outside the school, year-round, either in clubs or in beach volleyball," he said.

Rutz credits his predecessor, Scott Arnauer, with building the program, and takes virtually no credit for the Bears' dynastic accomplishments.

"The program fueled itself," he said. "The upperclassmen encourage the underclassmen, and that cycle keeps renewing itself. I have no real bearing on it."

The championship didn't come easily, of course: East Brunswick's wins were by 25-22 and 25-21 scores, as St. Peter's put up a stubborn fight. Starring for the Bears was senior hitter Travis Heilman, with 13 kills and six digs. Junior Christian Portera added six kills and three digs, and one of the kills provided the title-winning point after the Marauders had fought back to make the score 24-22.

As usual, EBHS had a deep roster, with 13 outstanding-to-capable performers. Superstar setter Kyle Barry, a senior, registered 634 total assists on the season (29 in the title game) with 53 kills and 20 blocks.

"He's a great hitter," Rutz said. "He's also a good distributor and he's got a lot of weapons."

Heilman, the offensive kingpin, finished the campaign with 182 kills, to lead the team, and 21 blocks. In the middle, Rutz has high praise for senior John McLaughlin, calling him "a player and a winner" who keeps the ball in play and leads by example, "always giving 100 percent on every play."

Lanky 6-5 junior Alex Rigley had 86 kills on the year, with 19 blocks, while the 6-3 Portera, also an 11th-grader, "annihilates the ball," Rutz says, referencing his powerful game-winning kill in the finale.

On the left side were a couple of talented seniors. Sameer Sood had 76 kills while playing excellent defense.

"He's a consistent server and the kind of role player you need to win," Rutz said.

The other senior on the left, Eric Corpus, had 115 kills and 110 digs. His coach refers to him as "our best defender."

Also contributing mightily at the defensive libero post was Dan Korten, a solid passer who, Rutz says, is another player known for his work ethic and 100 percent effort on the court.

Rounding out the varsity, junior Brian Murphy is a fine server, filling that role for Rigley, while senior Brian Gieser fills a utility role, overcoming an early-season injury by playing setter, middle and outside. Another senior, Julian Millan, was a libero who acquitted himself well, getting into about half the Bears' games.

Junior Greg Zegarek, a consistent player who has a good jump and serve on the outside, is being groomed for a starting role on next year's team. And last is 6-5 sophomore Mike Kuidahl, who plays on the right side and is expected to succeed Heilman next spring.

"He's young, big and strong, and he's got a good block," said Rutz. "I expect him to be a big impact leader next year."

Assisting Rutz this season was Anthony Alexander, who completed his first year with EBHS.

"He did a great job, and was wonderful to have beside me on the bench," Rutz said.