Old Bridge repeats as Group 4 champs

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Some teams shy away from the spotlight.

Not Old Bridge volleyball. The players know that other squads are gunning for them, so might as well embrace it. Bring it on.

“We love it,” senior Adrian Marke said. “We love it. We’re always there for it. … Every team plays their hardest against you, and they want to take you down.”

Troy Markle added, “It puts a target on our back, and it keeps you on your feet. You always want to be No. 1, and to keep that spot is really something special. We’re just used to that, and it’s just based on experience. So, we’re comfortable in that situation.”

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Indeed, in turn, the Knights play hard back, and they’re always ready and unfrazzled.

Wednesday, Old Bridge repeated as NJSIAA Group 4 champions with a 25-17, 25-18 win over Livingston at host South Brunswick High School – a familiar championship site for the program. Old Bridge has now won six state titles in the last seven tournaments (it was cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic).

The team has been known for its enthusiastic fan support through the years, and a large number of students again showed up in purple and black, cheering and chanting, even leading the National Anthem.

It’s cool to play volleyball in Old Bridge.

The Knights (32-1) completed another special season in emphatic fashion with Wednesday’s triumph. They cruised in the first-game win. In the second, both teams tussled for the lead until Old Bridge took off to break a 12-12 tie.

Soon it was 15-12 and 19-14, and Old Bridge never trailed again. It seemed fitting that Oskar Lapinski put an exclamation point on the final point with a power shot that Livingston couldn’t return.

The junior has been dominant all spring with 317 kills and had a team-high 11 in the win. His classmate Marke complements Lapinski, keeping opposing teams off-balanced and he chipped in nine kills in the final with 243 for the season.

Markle, the steady senior setter, led with 21 assists (769 on the season) and six digs. In all, the Knights received balanced contributions throughout the box score, and that’s what makes the team so potent.

Markle said he can place the ball to anyone, and they’ll all make the right decision. Lapinski, too, is happy for the support.

“I’m just glad to be a part of such a special program,” said Lapinski, noting the team’s chemistry from grass volleyball games to team dinners. “Knowing that we have such a well-rounded team is really good for me. … I trust everyone with all my heart that we could get a kill anywhere on the court.”

Seniors Ali Chaudary (321 digs), John Femiano (76 digs), Logan Fernandes (138 kills, 118 digs), Noah Brown (82 kills, 27 digs) and Anthony Pizzulli (104 digs) have all been key members, and junior Alex Kozikowski chipped in three digs and two blocks in the championship win.

“Our seniors, I mean, what a ride they’ve had,” Hopman said. “In the last three years they only lost two matches.”

He then noted the victories each year – 32, 32, 29.

“That’s a credit to the seniors,” he continued. “Most of them have been playing for three years, and they just love the sport. They’ll probably go home and play in someone’s backyard. That’s what they did last year. They’re always playing, they love the sport and there’s no moment that’s too big for them because they’re just happy to be on the court.”

As the coach was in the midst of a post-game interview, Chaudary walked by, and they embraced.

“Thank you, Hop,” he said. “Thank you so much. Everything you’ve done, thank you. Appreciate it.”

In turn, Hopman appreciates his players and all the 360-degree support.

“It’s been a pleasure to be part of the program as it’s grown,” Hopman said. “It’s grown so much that we have a lot of support from our administration. We’ve had great coaches like Tom Buoni, Wayne Lach and our new younger coach Jonny Ortega, who played for us and is now coaching. That’s special, too, to have a player come back and want to coach with us.

“It’s like the perfect storm. I’ve got great assistant coaches, great athletic director, great principal, and when you have everybody that wants to see you succeed and everybody that’s supporting you, and the players feel that – then they just play better.”