Advertisement

Meet the top high school boys volleyball players from the SouthCoast to watch in 2024

laurie los lee, the standard-times
·5 min read

With the return of three of the area’s top seven boys volleyball players from last spring, SouthCoast’s teams will feature several new faces in key roles.

The three returning Super Teamers are GNB Voc-Tech’s Colin Stuessi and New Bedford’s Carter Barbosa and Nick Rosa.

Last year GNB Voc-Tech reached the Div. 2 Elite 8 while New Bedford lost in the opening round of the Div. 1 tournament. Both teams will be competing in the MIAA Div. 1 playoffs this spring.

Here’s a look at the top seven boys volleyball players to watch on the SouthCoast in 2024:

SEASON PREVIEW: High school softball players to watch and team capsules

Carlos Anaya, GNB Voc-Tech

The 6-foot-5 senior middle hitter/blocker will look to have an impact at the net both offensively and defensively. “He’s one of those kids that loves the sport,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Richie Gomes. “He never stopped working for the last three years and it’s paid off.”

Jack Gwozdz, GNB Voc-Tech

A much bigger Gwozdz, who grew two inches and added about 10 pounds, will split his time between setting and playing right side as a returning junior. “Jack was a big part of the starting lineup last year,” Gomes said. “He ran offense and played right side. He’s fine tuned his setting and blocking.”

Colin Stuessi, GNB Voc-Tech

Stuessi is the first four-year starter that Gomes has ever coached in his career. The 6-foot-3 senior will play outside hitter this year. “He’s legit,” Gomes said. “He’s almost 6-3 now and put on some muscle; he looks good. He has the most experience as any player for a varsity level. He’s been playing at a high level. He’s been great.”

New Bedford High's Nick Rosa hits the ball cross court for the Whalers.
New Bedford High's Nick Rosa hits the ball cross court for the Whalers.

Carter Barbosa, New Bedford

Barbosa, a senior, will once again direct New Bedford’s offense as a three-year starting setter. “He’s Mr. Consistent,” said New Bedford head coach Ben Kaeterle. “He’s very intelligent. He challenges himself every year and he’s open to pushing himself to the next level. This year I want him to be more of an offensive threat and get a couple of kills per game.”

Davon Centeio, New Bedford

Centeio will anchor New Bedford’s defense as a junior libero. “He’s been very confident in serve receive,” Kaeterle said. “He’s a mature leader in the back row for us.”

GNB Voc-Tech's Jack Gwozdz goes for the kill.
GNB Voc-Tech's Jack Gwozdz goes for the kill.

Juan Grau Montano, New Bedford

A transfer from Columbia, Montano will have an immediate impact for New Bedford at outside hitter. “He’s going to be one of our best players this year,” Kaeterle said of his sophomore. “He has size. He’s skilled. He’s an intelligent player. He can crush the ball and he understands when it’s not the right time to do that and where to put the ball.”

Nick Rosa, New Bedford

Rosa, a junior outside hitter, will be a leader for the Whalers up front with his hitting and blocking. “He can be an attacker and also shut down the other team’s best hitter,” said Kaeterle. “With the maturity level, you can see him playing with more intensity and consistently. He’s mentally tougher.”

SEASON PREVIEW: High school baseball players to watch and team capsules

TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES

GNB VOC-TECH

Head coach: Richie Gomes

Last year’s record: 17-4

Top returners: Colin Stuessi, Sr., OH; Carlos Anaya, Sr., MH/OH; Jack Gwozdz, Jr., S/RH; Aryen Rodriguez, So., S/H; Gabriel Vieira, So., L; Mason Rua, Sr., L; Claudio Ramos, Sr., OH; Ramel Clark, Sr., RH.

Key newcomers: David Melo, Sr., M; Evan Forand, Jr., MH; Lucas Brum, Jr., RH; Nathan Mendes, Sr., M; Cazual Barrett-Springer, Jr., MH.

Outlook: Even though the Bears were hit hard by graduation, they have high expectations this year. “I think they look really solid. We lost a lot of seniors last year, but we have a lot of guys that played offseason ball,” said Gomes. “This is the most experienced team I’ve had since 2019.” Voc-Tech will look to make another run at the conference title after splitting it with North Quincy in 2022. “That’s our goal,” Gomes said. “We want to take sole ownership of the conference title.” The Bears, who have competed the past two years in the MIAA Div. 2 tournament, will move back up to Div. 1 this spring. “We want to make a major push this year,” said Gomes, whose team reached the Div. 2 Elite 8 last spring. “I’m really excited to watch them put it all together and go get it.”

GNB Voc-Tech's Colin Stuessi goes up for the kill.
GNB Voc-Tech's Colin Stuessi goes up for the kill.

NEW BEDFORD

Head coach: Ben Kaeterle

Last year’s record: 13-8

Top returners: Carter Barbosa, Sr., S; Nick Rosa, Jr., OH; Amir Salih Tavares, Jr. MB; Davon Shields, Jr., MB; Davon Centeio, Jr., L; Brooklyn Rodrigues, Jr., DS.

Key newcomers: Juan Grau Montano, So., OH; Nyron Foster, Jr., OH; Abner Cun, Jr., S.

Outlook: Kaeterle is excited about this year’s team and for good reason. The Whalers feature a veteran setter in Barbosa and have several strong threats at the net. “There’s a high ceiling with a lot of hitting options,” Kaeterle said. “And now Carter is a senior so that’s a big help.” Kaeterle said that many of his players competed in the offseason and it shows in their improvement. “The group in general made a big leap playing in the offseason,” he said. “Adding Juan (a transfer) into the mix changes the game for us. He’s very skilled overall. We have a really deep team.” Kaeterle believes New Bedford has the potential to contend for the conference title and make a run in the Div. 1 playoffs. “I have pretty high expectations for them,” he said. “We have a motivated bunch with a chip on their shoulders.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2024 SouthCoast high school boys volleyball players to watch