On June 5, WHS boys volleyball ended an impressive season as they fell to their rival Scotch Plains-Fanwood 3-1. The team finished with an outstanding record of 23-6. Their hard work took them all away to the North Jersey, Group 3, Sectional Final against SPF where they had a hard fought match. After the Blue Devils won the Union County Tournament versus Elizabeth, the team knew they had a target on their back going into the state tournament.
Coming into the season Westfield had a lot of returning players and high expectations. Their record alone proved that Westfield was a force to be reckoned with.
A key component of the success the Blue Devils found this season was senior tri-captain Benjamin Bukiet-Beker. He attributed their success to the deep-rooted chemistry that they cultivated, especially within the senior class. Being that most of the seniors played club volleyball together, they developed a deeper understanding of one another as players that was evident on the court. Bukiet-Beker said, “It’s really the togetherness of the team that helped us be so efficient this season.”
Senior Logan Welsh had a positive recollection after the season ended and noted how close his teammates were on and off the court. He said, “I think what helped us the most was everyone just buying into the team spirit and mindset. We have a lot of fun together, so we all know we’re working towards a common goal. This year’s team had the most people who played pretty much year-round.”
The senior class played a huge role in forming a culture and bringing energy to the team. The Blue Devils made history this year as they beat SPF for the first time in program history and won the country championship, so the senior class definitely made their mark on the program. Welsh stated, “We’ve been improving season after season for the past few years now. Last year was the first time we took a set from SPF, and this season we beat them for the first time. It’s all about keeping this momentum going and working towards our goals, even if it takes time. Something we focused on a lot was our consistency, within every aspect of the game, which really was improved from last year, and as the season went on.”
Bukiet-Beker has had an incredible four years as a Blue Devil. “I feel being one of many seniors on my team helped us create a strong bond. We’ve played together for a long time now, mostly all in the same club, so it’s the same type of culture and ways to play. It’s really the togetherness of the team that helped us be so efficient this season. Hopefully, in the future, the younger guys can create that type of encouragement of trust as well because it really helps make every individual’s job easier.” Along with Bukiet-Beker, seniors Ethan Cha and Matthew Bonn also shared the captain position.
The Blue Devils had a great season while recording a seven game win streak in the season. More than the victories and defeats, this season will be remembered for the strong bonds and unforgettable experiences shared by the team.
Looking at next year’s team, they will have many new faces on the lineups when the spring comes around again. Bukiet-Beker stated, “The team next year is going to be all about who’s going to be next up and step up in a big way. There are big shoes to fill. All we are missing now is a state championship, and that’s a big task, so they all have to be motivated and try to step up so they can continue the momentum we had this season into the next one, despite many seniors leaving.”
