GNB VocTech Junior Relishing New Role On Boys Volleyball Team

New Bedford. That's when GNB Voc-Tech's Colleen Stucey hit the field line in Saturday's Game 4 of the Bears' volleyball game in New Bedford.

The Bears led 2-1 and the score was 17-17 as Stussy helped turn the tide in Voke-Tech's favor, scoring five consecutive points, including three game-breaking tallies.

“I've been working on my serve for the past three years,” said Stussy, the young forward who had 10 kills and 10 goals to help the Bears win 22-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-21. The whale digs. "The time was right for a promotion and I'm happy to help my team in a difficult game against a good team."

Stussy blossomed in her first season with the bat, starting her last two years in the libero, where she earned Standard-Times Super Team honors as a sophomore a year ago.

“It was a smooth transition and a lot of fun. I enjoy being a key part of our offense,” said Stussy, one of the most versatile players in the region thanks to his defensive skills and ability to land hard jump shots. Serve or float depending on the situation.” "We have a very good team with guys who can play all over the pitch. We are proud of our defense and we like to put our opponents under pressure with our serves."

The 6-footer, who enjoyed a 5-inch growth spurt following his sophomore season, has grown a lot for the Bears in a short amount of time, Voc-Tech coach Richie Gomez said.

"He's been on our roster since he was a rookie and is working hard to become a better player," Gomes said. "He's been playing all year and has improved in every aspect of the game."

Gomes added that the Bears have changed their offense this season to take advantage of Stacey's strengths.

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"We picked our sets for him and he was very consistent at net," said Gomes. “He jumps well, hits the ball hard and has a good feeling. He's a great team player who works behind the line and helps us serve."

In the summer, when he's not playing beach volleyball, Stussy plays for the Bears and two travel teams, the Southern District of Rhode Island and Supreme New Bedford, coached by Gomes.

"Volleyball is the only sport I play," said Stussy, who lives in Fairhaven. "It takes a lot of strength and skill to be a good player. You have to take it and be ready to give it your all."

Meaning: The Bears, who have lost two games in a row, improve to 5-2. They are 2-1 in the Southern Conference. ... The Whalers, who have won five of their last six games, lost 6-4. They are 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference. ... Both teams return home for their home games on Monday at 5pm. The Bears' host league rivals Quincy and the Whalers host North Quincy for a non-conference showdown. ... The Bears won the Urban Rivalry Cup. The Whalers will have a shot at the trophy when the teams meet in a rematch on Friday at Voc-Tech.

New Bedford manager Ben Catterley: “We weren't at our best, but we had our chances. We were attacked, but we were unable to advance. We have a group of young people who are still trying to find their way. We had some guys who could put the ball into the net, but our passing game was a bit shaky."

Stats: Curran Farnworth finished the tournament with 15 kills and 8 digs for the Bears. ... Camden Morin added five kills. ... Second-rate setter Jake Gvozdz fueled the Bears offense with 17 assists, and senior libero Tayshawn Andrade had a strong 10-hit long-range game. ... Senior setter Evan Fagundes had 12 assists and seven assists. … Sophomore hitter Nick Rosa finished the game with a team-high eight kills for the Whalers, who caught 23 passes off junior setter Carter Barboza and 14 hits off senior fielder Connor Silva. ... Junior forward Jensen Farnworth and senior center fielder Dilson DaCosta Teixeira each had five kills. ... Sophomore outside wing Amir Salih Tavares has four kills.

NOTES: Barboza, selected for the Standard Times SuperTeam last season, is the lone starter returning for the Whalers alongside 2022 Standard Times Player of the Year Kishan Patel and Ryan Dosenberg in the Superteam at outfield/center. Patel was a freshman at the University of Rhode Island, where he studied computer science and played on the Rams club team, which competed in the University of New England Volleyball League and was coached by former GNB vocal consultant Mike Holden. ... This is Gomes' greatest team in 13 years with the Bears. The squad includes 6-5 Morin, 6-4 senior center forward Cerrone Ramos, 6-4 junior right/center Carlos Anaya and 6-3 senior center Jack Bailey. The Bears also have 6-9 rookie Avery Lopez on their JoyV team.

This article originally appeared in the Standard-Times: Greater New Bedford Voca-Tech defeats New Bedford in men's volleyball.

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