Larkin seeks a winning formula

The Larkin boys volleyball team will try to use hustle and effort to offset its lack of experienced returning players.

Second-year coach Henry Graack, a math teacher at Larkin, is seeking a winning equation after all seven starters from last year's 5-32 team graduated, including all-Upstate Eight Conference performer Brad Potts and honorable mention selections Joe Leganski and Brendan Doebbeck.

Four players return from the 2008 squad, most of whom saw more action in junior varsity matches than at the varsity level. Leading the way will be four seniors: libero Kyle Milnamow, outside hitter Mike Hofmann, setter Mike Dickerson and middle hitter Chase Sund (6-foot-3).

Some notable additions who will see playing time at the varsity level include three seniors: outside hitter Raziel Somarriba, middle hitter Ben Riebock and right-side hitter Misael Hernandez, a veteran of Larkin's successful soccer program.

"Hernandez has really become a leader of this team even though it's only his second year playing," Graack said. "He was on varsity soccer so he knows about hustle and playing competitively. He has a great attitude, is a great worker and always gives 100 percent in practices and games. He knows how to get everyone else motivated, and Kyle Milnamow is the same way as far as voicing his opinion and being a natural leader."

The program is beginning to show the benefits of having a coach who works in the building, unlike the school's previous two boys volleyball coaches. Tryouts for the freshman team included 18 athletes, up from 12 the previous year. That total doesn't include several more players who tried out after they cuts were made in the baseball program.

Though the Royals aren't experienced at the varsity level overall, they've been approaching practices with the type of positive attitude that could help them build on last year's win total, according to their coach.

"I think we can definitely improve on our conference record of 1-8," Graack said. "I think we can compete defensively, and we'll have to out-hustle every team we play. We'll be competitive in matches. Whether we can pull out the wins we'll have to see."