Eastern sets volleyball sights high

With two of the best volleyball players in South Jersey in the starting lineup and a veteran coach directing the action, Eastern is looking forward to its best season ever.

Setter Kapil Desai and middle hitter Tom Tideman give the Vikings a one-two punch that has gotten the team off to a 4-1 start that includes wins over two Olympic Conference American Division rivals.

Coach Tom Armour, who guided the Vikings to division crowns in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2008, sees Cherry Hill West and East, and Williamstown as the top threats to their division title. The Vikings beat West, 25-23, 25-20, on April 6, and East, 25-15, 25-20, the next day.

Eastern is scheduled to host Williamstown on Friday.

"They expect to be division champs again and hope to play further in the state tournament than they ever have," Armour, who is in his 15th season as head coach, said of his team.

Armour calls Desai the best setter in South Jersey. Other South Jersey Volleyball Club players such as Ryan Haddon of Cinnaminson High and Russell Morrissey of Moorestown High are setters who are comparable to Desai, Armour said. But the senior's leadership, deceptiveness, and accuracy make him stand out.

"We're looking to go pretty far," said Desai, who at 5 feet 9 is shorter than many setters. "Almost the entire varsity team plays for the club, the [junior varsity] players, too. We know we can play with the top teams in the state because we have played them for years."

The Vikings lost to Old Bridge last year in the quarterfinal round of the South Central Section.

A blow to their playoff ambitions occurred in December, when senior Taylor Coomer, a hard-hitting middle hitter, was injured, and he has not been able to return to the lineup.

However, sophomore Zach Law, another hard hitter, stepped in and has been doing a good job. Law is likely to miss the Williamstown game because he is on a family trip.

"Our other middle, Tideman, has stepped up and has played exceptionally," Desai said. "His height helps him, and he's smart. He reads the other team and puts it where they can't get it."

Tideman, who is scheduled to return to the lineup today after a week resting a sore back, stands 6-6 and can control the net. But even more than the senior's height, Armour likes Tideman's experience and execution.

"Our skill level is better than last year," Armour said. "Their potential is to go as far as they want to go."