The little-team-that-could storyline is over. Academy of American Studies might be a tiny school, but it has grown into a boys volleyball powerhouse after a trip to the PSAL championship match and has some of the best players in the city, many of whom competed on the club level in the offseason.
“We know we’re good,” coach Josh Yang said. “We have to grasp that hunger again. I think they feel like they’re gonna go back to it. Last year we rode the underdog story and we really were. But now we have like superstars on the team. I don’t want that to go to their head either.”
As good of a season as the Eagles had in 2011, they fell short of their goal: the program’s first city title. Yang has hammered that point home early and hopes it’s getting through to his players.
“As good as last year was, it could be better,” the coach said. “I hope they don’t get complacent. I don’t want it to be a what-could-have-been season. All the skills are there.”
Indeed, Academy of American Studies is arguably the favorite to win it all this year. The Eagles return the most dynamic outside hitter in New York City, junior Michal Kasza, and 6-foot-6 junior Conrad Zajkowski will move into the middle this year from the right side.
The talent doesn’t end there, either. Kasza’s sophomore brother Piotr is the team’s second-year starting setter and has gained polish. Ricky Myint was an all-city caliber libero last year, but has moved over – for the time being – to the other outside hitter spot. Yang said he could return to libero if he isn’t completely pleased with the team’s defense.
All four of those players competed over the winter with the new AllStarr boys club team. None of them, though, have the experience of being a leader. That was the job of graduated senior Nino Hot in 2011. Michal Kasza and Myint are quiet by nature.
“We had so much to prove last year,” Yang said. “Nino was such a good leader. This year we’re searching for leadership and just little things at the beginning of the season. … Every year is a new year. We have to go through the beginning. Last year was special for us just because of the team camaraderie.”
Academy of American Studies will also be looking to junior Denis Begzic to take over the opposite role. As good as the Eagles were last year, and have a chance to be this season, Myint is still the only regular senior on the roster.
The future is bright at the small Long Island City school, but Yang is only worried about the present. Because of the size of Academy of American Studies and the team’s new high profile, his players, he said, have taken on celebrity personas among classmates. He doesn’t want that to affect the goal: a city title.
“It’s at a different level,” Yang said. “I think they kind of understand that. … I hope they understand how good they are and not take it for granted.”
