Ryan Nicanor Is Dedicated to Turn Boys Volleyball into Winning Program
After coaching the girls’ volleyball freshman team this fall, Ryan Nicanor is now the head coach of boys’ volleyball this spring.
“I’ve always wanted to coach high school, it’s more consistent and you are able to build a community,” Nicanor said.
Nicanor said he was nervous to make the transition, but that he has been pleasantly surprised.
“[The players] are just a really great group of guys, they obviously love the sport and they work hard,” he said. Varsity volleyball player junior Drew Kobal said that Nicanor has been clear about boundaries and focused on culture.
“Early on in the year we went to a Stanford Volleyball game as a team. It’s been clear he wants us to bond and work together in all ways,” Kobal said, “He’s set clear boundaries and expectations and is very open in his communication, which is important.”
Kobal said his experience with Nicanor has been very positive and he can tell how much he cares about the sport and the team.
“It’s only a matter of time until this program sees real success,” Nicanor said.
Marvin Vitatoe Creates Fun Environment for Boys Golf
Vitatoe said he started working with Piedmont when the boys golf team needed an assistant coach last spring, and then applied for the full time roles of both boys and girls teams for this fall.
“It’s definitely been a transition, but the sky’s the limit for how good we can be,” he said.
Vitatoe said one of his core tenets of coaching is making sure everyone enjoys themselves.
“I remember being that age, and it shouldn’t be life or death. You need to go out there and have fun. The biggest, most important thing about it is having fun,” Vitatoe said.
Golf player sophomore River Bloemker said Vitatoe brings a new fresh and fun energy to the program.
“He’s more like a friend than a coach to most of us, he always makes things fun,” Bloemker said.
PHS Alumni Paul Pappas Brings Youth and Consistency to Developing Boys Lacrosse
PHS graduate from the class of 2020, Paul Pappas is the new head coach of boys lacrosse. Pappas will be the team’s third coach in the past three years.
“I’m hoping to give the kids some stability,” Pappas said.
Captain senior Gus Von Metzsch said Pappas and the rest of the new coaching staff are focused on the future.
“You can tell that there’s a lot of potential in the team, and I think our coaching staff is doing a great job of bringing that out, of focusing on development, as opposed to just trying to install stuff to win now,” he said.
Pappas said he wants to bring a strong tradition of winning league back to lacrosse, and there is a lot of work to be done but he has a lot of hope for the team and is excited for the future.
“It’s just awesome to be back in the Piedmont lacrosse space and community,” Pappas said.
Adrien Downey Adds Enthusiasm and Spirit to Swim Team
Swim team has a new head coach. Adrien Downey is taking over for past head coach Colby Price, who is stepping back as an assistant coach. Downey has been a coach on the Piedmont club swim team for almost two years and continues to coach all ages there on top of the high school.
Downey said his core principle as a coach revolves around positive reinforcement.
“I try to put my coaching into catching people when they’re doing it right, trying to find those moments where people are really on fire, and giving them their props, and making sure that they believe that they can do that,” he said.
Junior swimmer McAuliffe said Downey always brings positivity and enthusiasm to practice.
“I have enjoyed [Downey’s] coaching style a lot. He’s very upbeat and team oriented, and he has brought a new energy to the swim team,” McAuliffe said.
Downey said he is hopeful and excited for the future of the team.
“If we just keep it simple and swim hard and swim for each other we can hit the ground running next year,” he said.
