JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | I "New Beginnings" is a 2006 short film starring likely no one you've heard of and directed by a person who hasn't made a new movie since 2013. However, it's the phrase du jour surrounding the New Jersey City University men's volleyball team, who has a new coach (who loves his movie references), a new conference, and a new direction for the 2020 season.
 
A 'NEW' COACH
 
Carlo Edra (NJCU, `07) was a three-year-starting libero for the Gothic Knights from 2004-2006, with his playing days leading directly into a coaching career with NJCU. Edra began as an assistant in 2007, moving into the head role for the 2008 season—a position he held until he left to start a family after the 2011 season. 
 
During that time, Edra helmed some of the more successful teams in program history, and his 65 total wins with the team rank third in program history. He will almost certainly move into second this year.
 
With the return of Edra comes a renewed focus on embracing the modern version of collegiate men's volleyball. 
 
"The biggest thing this year is going to be implementing a new system," Edra explained. "We played a little old school the last few years. The biggest thing with how it's played now is the speed. It's set locations, getting the matchups in our favor. Anything they do on the court now, there's a reason for."
 
Edra has a mighty task in front of him, reshaping the focus in a short period, and with one of the largest rosters in program history. Of the 19 players on the roster, eight are freshmen, a large number of whom are walk-ons. 
 
"Of the freshmen crew, I believe only one was recruited," Edra noted. "Everyone else just came here on their own. I'm really lucky that that was the situation. It speaks volumes. Last time around, we had one, maybe two walk-ons; this year we had to cut six-to-seven guys in addition to the seven we still have. I guess the word is getting out there."
 
The buzz isn't just coming from potential players, but it is surrounding the program as a whole, thanks in part to changes at the university itself. 
 
"The biggest word getting out there right now is Shawn [Tucker]," Edra said of NJCU's Athletic Director who came to the school in the spring of 2018. "There are a lot of positive changes right now, and a bright future outlook overall."
 
A 'NEW' CONFERENCE
 
Another big change for the NJCU men's volleyball program in 2020 will be a more stable schedule, thanks to their return to the Skyline Conference as an affiliate member. NJCU competes in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in all other sports, but with only four teams in the NJAC sponsoring men's volleyball NJAC, it was imperative to also compete for championships. Now, after a two-year hiatus, they'll be part of a conference that has enough sponsoring institutions to be rewarded with an automatic bid to the NCAAs — something the Skyline can indeed provide. 
 
"The biggest thing for us was definitely that the conference tournament offers an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament," Edra said. "If you're playing independently, what are you really playing for? Now we have a set goal."
 
The Knights will look to challenge two-time reigning champions, St. Joseph's-Long Island, while also keeping an eye on fellow NJAC-to-Skyline rival, Ramapo.
 
"When you're the reigning champions, you obviously have a target on your back," Edra said of the Golden Eagles. "There's also a lot of history between us and Ramapo — we were big rivals back in my playing days — so those two stand out as the goal: to beat those two. Not that we don't have to worry about the others, but those are the big names for us." 
 
A NEW DIRECTION
 

A point that the new head coach kept coming back to was the way his team was taking to the new systems being put in place within the program.
 
"We're going to have to struggle a little bit at times, for sure," Edra noted. "For me to come here and expect them to learn a new system and just crush the whole season is an unrealistic expectation. We'll have growing pains. There will be times we look lost."
 
However, the coach noted, many of the players are not just taking to the system, but they are thriving in it. The players are making some adjustments that are unlocking big potential for this large roster. 
 
"The expectations are just to get better every day and peak at the right time," Edra said. "They have had me for only one non-traditional season — there's no way in just five weeks they'll get the system. I just want by the end of the season that we're all understanding, and it has now become second nature."
 
So, who are those names taking to the new system, the ones to watch for in 2020?
 
KEY RETURNERS (with Coaches Comments)
 
Seniors J.J. Berdecia (West New York, NJ/Memorial) (libero) and Julian Moreira (Miami, FL/Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) (Opposite/Middle Blocker) are the two four-year seniors on the team and the previous starters return to contribute for a final go-around.
 
Jon Andrews (2019 First-Team All-NJAC): "He's the leader of the team. He leads by example. He does the most in the offseason, playing in adult competitive leagues. That experience is invaluable — you'll be playing guys better than you'll be playing the regular season."
 
Jeffrey Rodriguez: "He's another one who plays in adult competitive leagues over the summer. At the position he plays, it's about reacting and having good instincts. The biggest flaw you can have there is guessing. As a middle blocker, it's his job to make sure there are two blockers on every hitter. Jeff, before, would see the setter and say I think he's going to go this way and then just go. The setter would see him go one way, and just go the other way. His biggest improvement, that he's made in only one or two practices, reminds me of a quote from Mighty Ducks 3: 'Let them make the first move.' As a defender, if you move first, the hitter and setter know where they can go. But if you stay patient and let them make the move and we react, that gives us the advantage. That little thing has completely changed his game."
 
Alexander Umanzor (West New York, NJ/Memorial): "He's going to be setting this season. I'm having him focus there because we're deep at right-side, so I don't need him to be a hitter. The setter is the quarterback, so I'm trying to get him as much information as possible, and he's an intelligent guy.  He does well in school — he is 100 percent planned on his career — so he's absorbing all this really well. He's studying the info I give him like he would in class."
 
Leo Ferrari (Kearny, NJ/Kearny): "He's is a guy that we can use in every position, and we've been training him that way. I don't know if it's just his personality, but he's always up for that. And he's picking all of it up. He's able to be our backup plan at many different positions."
 
Jerlis Vasquez (West New York, NJ/Memorial)/Raymundo Hernandez (West New York, NJ/County Prep): "These are two guys that are liberos, and at first I wasn't sure what to do with them. But even just little changes and now I'm talking to them much different, it's just fine tuning."
 
On the team as a whole: "I can single people out, but it's every single person. They're learning how to play volleyball, and they are all way different players than they were in the fall."
 
Impact Newcomers (with Coaches Comments)
 
James Bajor (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne): "He's left-handed, which in any sport is key. Lefties are always awkward to play against and it's a big advantage. What I like about the freshmen is that they could all potentially take starting spots this season. It's causing the sophomores and upperclassmen to realize they're really pushing them for playing time."
 
Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, NJ/Kearny): "He's a big kid, another one with club experience. He moves fast, though. When you have someone his size (6-6) who can move like he's five feet out there, that's incredibly important."
 
Richard Valentin (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway): "Brandon and James and Rich are the future of the program. It will not be surprising if by midseason those three are starting."
 
The freshmen class, as a whole: "We got their fall grades, and the grades are to the point that I know I'm going to have these guys for four seasons. That makes me very happy."
 

NJCU Rundown
Season: 31st (launched in 1990)
2019 Record: 13-12 (0-3 NJAC)
Best Single-Season Record All-Time: 28-10 (1997)
Best Conference Record All-Time: 13-2 (1997)
Conference Championships: None
Conference Regular Season Titles: None
ECAC Tournament Appearances: Six
NECVA Tournament Appearances: Seven
 
Key Dates
Season and Home Opener: Tuesday, January 21, 7:00 p.m. vs. Kean University (John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center)
Skyline Opener: Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m. @ Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J.
Skyline Home Opener (Tri-Match): Saturday, February 29, 9:00 a.m. vs. Sarah Lawrence College/College of Mount Saint Vincent (John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center)
 
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