By Marc Raimondi
It was a wild playoffs with upsets and some unexpected teams finding themselves deep in the postseason.
No. 18 Bayside shocked No. 2 Walton in the second round and made the semifinals. No. 23 Port Richmond snuck into the quarterfinals. No. 4 Bronx Science made its first PSAL city title match in 11 years.
But when all was said and done, the team that had won the last two seasons, Cardozo, reigned supreme again. The third-seeded Judges, though a brand new group, found their way to pay dirt once again. No team has ever won three titles in a row and Cardozo now owns the most titles — four — in PSAL boys’ volleyball history.
All-City boys’ volleyball Player of the Year: Daniel Dworakowski, Bronx Science
His leaping ability and hang time at the net became the stuff of lore as the senior led Bronx Science to its first PSAL city championship match since 1999. Dworakowski, who will attend Cornell next year, was the most dominant front row player in the city down the stretch.
His best performance, though, might have come away from the net. Dworakowski had service runs of eight and seven points apiece to lead Science past top-seeded McKee/Staten Island Tech in the PSAL semifinals. He also had eight kills and three blocks in an exceptional showing.
All-City boys’ volleyball Coach of the Year: Danny Scarola, Cardozo
For the first time in four years Cardozo was actually the underdog, but Scarola pushed all the right buttons to lead the Judges to a third straight PSAL city title. They lost every important hitter from last year, yet the coach meshed guys like Arnold Situmeang, who barely played before this season, into the starting lineup.
All-City First Team
OH Albert Chi, McKee/Staten Island Tech
The Hunter College-bound senior was the best player on the best team in the regular season. Chi led MSIT to championships in the Aviation and Tottenville tournaments and to the top seed in the PSAL playoffs. He made the transition from middle hitter to outside look seamless.
OH Dustin Lee, Bronx Science
Though Daniel Dworakowski was the star, Lee was indispensable to Bronx Science’s run to the PSAL championship match. The senior’s strength was his versatility — he boasted a big serve, a powerful swing and played excellent defense. Dworakowski even called him the team’s best player in the playoffs.
OH/S Brian Lim, Susan Wagner
It was almost like Lim was two separate and individual players for Wagner. He was the Falcons’ best setter, with outstanding hands and awareness. The senior was also a strong hitter — despite his 5-foot-7 height, Lim could jump with anyone in the gym.
S Stanley Martinez, Cardozo
The players receiving his sets were completely different, but Martinez stayed steady. The senior became a leader in his second season starting and he was integral in Cardozo winning a third-straight PSAL city title. He had 21 assists in the final against Bronx Science.
OH Jonah Park, Brooklyn Tech
For the second straight season, Park put Brooklyn Tech on his back and led the Engineers to a deep run in the playoffs. This year ended in the quarterfinals, but the Hunter College-bound senior was as good as ever. Park wasn’t just a great hitter or a solid defender. He was Brooklyn Tech’s heartbeat and emotional leader.
OH Arnold Situmeang, Cardozo
For a senior who came into the season with just three matches under his belt, Situmeang defied all expectations. He evolved into Cardozo’s best hitter and his 18-kill performance against John F. Kennedy in the quarterfinals was a classic. Situmeang’s motto was “swing big or go home” and the Judges went home with a third straight PSAL title.
All-City Second Team
OH Yomar Aguiar, John F. Kennedy
After a heartbreaking loss to Cardozo in the quarterfinals, Coach Iris Bromfield said Aguiar was her team’s most valuable player this season. The athletic Aguiar didn’t play much last season and is only 5-foot-7, but he could pound kills and was excellent defensively.
OH Kevin Ha, Cardozo
As the only player who started on back-to-back title teams, Ha was someone his teammates could always look to for advice and guidance. His leadership, consistency and versatility — he played libero as a sophomore and junior — helped lead Cardozo to yet another championship.
OH Carlos Jimenez, Walton
Walton, a chic pick to win the city title, was shocked in the PSAL second round, but it was no fault of Jimenez. The athletic senior was a beast at the net all season and also played good defense.
MH Tony Koyfman, Bayside
The 6-foot-7 senior was arguably the most valuable player in the PSAL this season. Without him, Bayside could not have made the semifinals as a No. 18 seed. His soft hands on sets and size and strength were indispensable.
OH Wei Hao Wu, New Utrecht
The senior wasn’t just New Utrecht’s best hitter, a fine passer or a cerebral cog in a solid lineup. Wu was the key to the Utes’ success, because he acted as translator for Coach Jennifer Lopez on a team made up mostly of players from China.
S Mike Sideris, Bronx Science
If Daniel Dworakowski and Dustin Lee made Bronx Science go, Sideris was the glue that held everything together. The senior was steady, a good leader and kept his two elite hitters happy en route to Science’s first city final appearance since 1999.
All-City Honorable Mention
OH Mike Alfau, Walton
MH Mikko Baylosis, McKee/Staten Island Tech
OH Troy Gaugler, Bryant
L Jose Grullon, Walton
OH Colin Horn, Hunter College HS
MH O’Shane McRae, Brooklyn Tech
MH Kevin Mullucks, Port Richmond
S Oscarlin Pichardo, Walton
OH/S Joshua Ra, McKee/Staten Island Tech
MH Alex Shlivko, Midwood
