ATHOL — When Justin Blake, Athol’s best hitter, fell out of the lineup with a sprained ankle, fellow senior Anthony Potenti proved he could fill in, producing a team-high nine kills on Monday night in a 3-2 win over Belchertown High School.
It was the second game with Potenti as that first option at outside hitter. He provided three kills against Central High School on April 5.
“He definitely came up with a big kill in the fifth set,” said Athol coach Sean MacDonald, referencing a spike by Potenti to put his team up 11-6 in Game 5 against Belchertown. “He’s kind of that, when things are going well, it’s like ‘yeah, alright.’”
Potenti has grown into the position and has given the Red Raiders 18 kills. Potenti likes the freedom of the outside hitter role and the aspect that an outside hitter can do multiple things on the court.
“There’s so many opportunities, so many different things you can do with it,” said Potenti. “You play back row, you pass, then you hit. It’s everything. It’s a mix of all of volleyball which I love.”
MacDonald seemed willing to work with Potenti on playing the outside hitter role and putting him in a position where he can succeed and enjoy the game.
“He’s still trying to figure out the approach and timing and stuff like that,” said MacDonald. “In the first few sets (of Monday’s match) he had more errors than kills. Then he started to smooth out. That was important for us. We need good production out of our outside hitters.”
Potenti has contributed three aces, 18 kills, one assist, one block and 27 digs this season.
“I’m feeling more comfortable. I’m getting more reps than I would because obviously Justin is a better player than I am,” said Potenti. “But with him gone, it’s given me an opportunity to better myself.”
Potenti’s shown that he can play multiple roles, stepping up as the outside hitter while also contributing defensively. Potenti prides himself on his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.
“I feel like I’m a utility belt,” said Potenti. “I’m not strongest outside, strongest at passing, strongest at setting, but I contribute as much as I can at each aspect.”
Potenti said he practices his passing because without the ability to pass one “can’t do anything on the court.”
MacDonald said he wants to help progress not just Potenti’s passing, but everyone’s passing ability.
“(Outside hitters) need to pass well,” said MacDonald. “They need to get kills when we don’t get a good pass. So when we are out of system, we need to get kills or put the other team in trouble.”