Matt Parisi felt a little undersized a year ago.
The 6-foot-3 Parisi usually was looking up to his opposite on the
other side of the net when playing some of the state's better
volleyball teams. He received a few smacks - more than he'd like to
remember.
That's why Parisi was happy when Cherry Hill West coach Scott
Sweeten told him that was being moved after his sophomore year to
the power hitter spot, which is an outside position, away from the
center of the court. That meant no more giants for Parisi. It also
meant a whole new perspective.
He went from being a player "just there" in the center of the
court to one of the most dominant players in South Jersey this
season. Parisi, a 170-pound junior, led the Lions with 335 kills;
his power helped Cherry Hill West finish 21-3 - a school record for
victories - and advance to the state quarterfinals.
It also made him The Inquirer's South Jersey player of the year
in boys' volleyball. He credits his success this season to the
change in position.
"It was easier to be an impact player on the outside than in the
middle," said Parisi, 17, a resident of Cherry Hill.
"I was definitely happy about being switched. I really didn't
feel comfortable playing in the middle my sophomore year. I always
felt I could help the team more playing on the outside. So when
Coach Sweeten told me I'd be moved, I was pretty happy."
It wasn't a quick transition from playing the middle-hitter
position to moving outside. Parisi, who plays club volleyball
year-round, found the change not that different in terms of
technique. He didn't have to switch his form when he hit the ball.
But the outside hitter position opened up the court.
"With Matt's height and jumping ability, he could occasionally
hit the ball over blocks," Sweeten said. "Matt became a dangerous
player, but smart. He was also an accurate passer, which was
extremely valuable to us.
"I was excited about this season, because I really felt Matt was
out of position last year. When I heard how well Matt was doing in
club, and experimenting, the outside position was really a job that
played to his strengths."
Parisi, however, first had to learn to use all of his options.
Playing the middle, the game is very fast. On the outside, the pace
slows. Parisi would always be early to spike the ball, which was
either behind him or straight over him. It didn't leave him in the
best position to attack. But he learned patience, and to wait and
read the ball.
"It wasn't easy," Parisi said. "But once I started making
mistakes, I kind of had to relearn the position. I thought it was
going to be easy, but it was a matter of timing, which is a big deal
in volleyball. If you're timing is slightly off, you can make a huge
mistake."
During the season, Parisi was almost unstoppable. In the Lions'
second match against Washington Township, a five-game victory won by
the Lions in their sweltering gym, Parisi used finesse moves to
score important points.
Against Eastern, at Eastern, Parisi had 22 kills in a three-game
sweep. In the second game, Parisi slammed a ball so hard off the
chest of Eastern's 6-7 Larry Chapman, the ball caromed 30 feet out
of bounds.
Parisi's ultimate goal is to land a volleyball scholarship. His
size and athleticism are major assets. A big senior season should
help his cause.
"I hit a lot harder and I played a lot smarter this year," Parisi
said. "It's not all about power, but I learned how to play smart.
It's definitely the way to win."
