Changing of Guard for GHS Volleyball

New GHS boys volleyball head coach Donald Colebrook looks on in the background as seniors #8 Mark Frigiani, #35 Jude Ramanan, and #5 Michael Grant await a serve against Farmington last Monday.

The boys volleyball team at Glastonbury High School has plenty of fresh faces on the court and there is a new, yet familiar face leading the Guardians this spring. 

Donald Colebrook, a 2012 graduate of Glastonbury High School, is heading a program that graduated eight seniors, including five all-conference players after finishing with an undefeated (18-0) regular season record last spring.

Colebrook said taking over a program that he was once an all-conference player with is a bit mind-blowing. 

“It’s been fun, but a little surreal,” said Colebrook, who credited the GHS athletic department for making his return to the high school a smooth one. 

Despite starting the season with a rotation that lacked varsity experience, Colebrook’s return to GHS has yielded promising results through the first half of the season, winning six of the 11 games. 

Last Monday the team suffered some growing pains, losing in straight sets to a Farmington team that came to GHS with a record of 1-6. 

The visiting River Hawks didn't play like a one-win team, getting tremendous efforts from senior spiker Excel Adekola and junior setter/captain Garrett Legner.

Glastonbury put up a good fight, leading at various stages in all three sets, but Farmington was able to finish each set with winners.  

Colebrook said his message to the team following the loss was that they need to learn from the mistakes and turn the page.

“We just have to come in at practice and continue to work hard,” added Colebrook.

Coming into the contest, the Guardians had won five of eight matches; including a three set win (25-24, 25-19, 25-15) over perennial powerhouse Newington on April 17 at GHS.

Glastonbury’s Mark Frigiani had a dozen kills and Daniel Jurewicz had five blocks, while sophomore setter Trevor Parks dished up a game-high 25 assists to hand the Nor’easters only their second loss this spring. 

Frigiani is captaining the team with fellow seniors Kyle Annecchino and Michael Grant.

Colebrook said his three court captains have approached the responsibility with the right mindset. 

“They have a lot of passion for the sport, which is what I want to see out of any captain in any sport,” added Colebrook. 
Following his graduation from GHS in 2012, Colebrook attended Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) where he helped start and played for the university’s club volleyball team.

He previously returned to GHS, serving as an assistant coach for girls volleyball assistant coach and also spent time as an assistant coach at Nichols College in Massachusetts. 

Colebrook also coach for Husky Volleyball, a multi-team junior club program based out of Windsor and Newington. 

Now back in Glastonbury, Colebrook said it is nice to see the GHS boy’s program “still thriving” in his over decade away from the program. 

His goal for Guardians is to learn from the early-season lapses and to be peaking by the time the postseason tournaments roll around later this month.  

“We are just trying to get better with every touch,” added Colebrook. 

Colebrook’s team closed last week with an impressive five-set win over Conard last Thursday in West Hartford. Prior to the match, the Red Wolves of Conard had won five of six matches. 

After dropping two of the first three sets, the Guardians rallied to win the fourth set and take the decisive fifth set.

Frigiani had 11 kills, while Annecchino and junior Justin Daddona each had 10 finishers. 
Parks posted game-highs in assists (34) and digs (10) in the comeback victory. 

The Guardians next play another away game in West Hartford, visiting Hall High School this Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m.

They return home next Wednesday, May 10 to welcome Enfield to GHS for a match at 6 p.m.

Colebrook said his team is at their best when they are “aggressive” and is pleased with the progress and the results so far.  

​“Our tenacity and our defensive play are fantastic,” added Colebrook. “If we’re more efficient on the offensive side, I think we’ll be good.”