Boys Volleyball: Lebanon Cedars Are Thrilling Fans With Exciting Growth

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Article & Photos by Kaylisa Montijo

Lebanon Cedars Volleyball Is Thrilling Fans With Exciting Growth

The Lebanon Cedars Boys’ Volleyball team is seeing impressive progress with a group of talented players. After saying farewell to a team full of seniors last year, they are well on their way to rebuilding an electric team.

This year’s lineup includes three seniors and a group of juniors and sophomores who are building a strong foundation for a bright future. The fans are noticing, commenting on a stout defense, an offense that is quick to transition, and service runs from multiple servers.

Head Coach Ed Montijo is proud of the growth his team has gone through this year. He describes his players as resilient, and that strength is evident on the court. In a recent victory over Garden Spot, each game came down to only a few points. Lebanon’s ability to fight to the last whistle is coming in clutch.

Dr. Ed Montijo is in his second year of coaching the team. He’s dedicated to building both skill and character in his players.

“Our team is undergoing a great transformation. I’m starting to talk less about minimizing errors and more about capitalizing on opportunities,” Montijo said. “That’s a huge shift in team culture! Our practices are different now than they were a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn’t be more excited. I see genuine growth in our athletes, and that is making a difference on the court.”

Senior captain Ledriel Velaquez-Bernard brings a strong knowledge of the game to matches. Montijo pointed out how he works hard at being a leader, keeping his teammates sharp and giving the team a much-needed competitive edge.

The Cedars’ large varsity team allows players to develop the skills that best fit them. They have dedicated players for offense and defense, an unusual situation for a high school team. The advantage of having these specialists is that it allows the team to always make sure they have the best players on the court, regardless of where they are in their rotation.

Outside hitters Eury Filpo and Jaison Morales have the responsibility of leading the team in hitting efficiency, but in practice they can be found putting in work with the defensive specialists so they can step into the role of all-around players next year.

Outside hitter Eury Filpo goes through his hitting approach during a non-league tournament. The sophomore has the highest hitting percentage on the team.

Defensive specialists Maurice Williams, William Padillas, Yahel Delgado, and Jordan Perugorria take turns providing the backbone of the defense. Their steady presence and diligent efforts in the back row allow the offense to run smoothly.

Overall, the team is closing in on its goal of having a 90% serving rating, with senior Yaheniel Hernandez-Falconserving at 88% efficiency. A host of other Cedars are quickly joining Hernandez-Falcon in the serving department. Being able to see tangible growth keeps the team excited about improving the technical aspects of their game.

With a trio of wins and 10 matches to go, the Cedars’ boys volleyball team is here to give its fans, parents, and friends a season to remember!

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Note: Since the article was submitted on April 9th, the Cedars played against Northern Lebanon where they lost in a hard-fought four-set match.