Gordon drives Elmont's 12-0 start

The job of a coach in any sport isn’t easy, especially in volleyball. But when you’re Ryan Straub, the head coach of the Elmont boys, you’re thankful every day to have a player like Malyk Gordon.

“Malyk is the absolute best,” Straub said. “It's unbelievable. I could walk across the street and get a pizza, and he could be just running the show for me. He is a coach's dream.”

Gordon, a soccer player by trade, switched to volleyball as a freshman and took to it naturally, originally as an outside hitter. Now in his senior year, Gordon has switched to setter, casually generating the fourth-most assists in the county with 377.

However, even though the position change has taken away what Straub believes is Gordon’s greatest skill, it has opened the door for other contributors on the team and propelled the Spartans to a 12-0 record.

“He knew it was best for the team,” Straub said. “He is making everybody so much better. His presence on the court and his presence every day in practice, he's making all of our players so much better.”

Possibly, the player who has benefitted the most is Kyle Simmons. With Gordon setting him the ball, Simmons has racked up 139 kills, which is impressive enough until you learn this is his first year playing organized volleyball, and he is also coming off a major knee injury.

“We didn't expect to have him,” Straub said. “He has been incredible for us. His vertical is just ridiculous. He gets up there, and he really crushes the ball. He could do it from the front row. He could do it from the back row. We haven't had somebody who hits the ball like he does. He really just always gives us a chance.”

Along with Simmons, players such as Chris Wong, Chijiaku Ndukanma, Adrian Pereira Jackson, Ian Hodge and Zakaria Bensmail have all made steps forward in their development this year, helping Straub build a culture based on winning and empowerment.

“It's helping them for the real world,” Straub said. “I feel like it helps them be leaders. They're leaders in the classroom. They're leaders in the community. It contributes to that overall well-rounded young man who can do anything.”

That culture has made the Spartans look unstoppable thus far. In their 12 matches this year, they’ve only lost five sets and have swept their previous four contests, the most recent being against Bethpage Oct. 14. Even though it is likely a lock to make the postseason, Elmont knows it still has more to accomplish.

“We're kind of coming into our own,” Straub said. “I feel like we're still improving every day. We're not satisfied. The kids are hungry and want to get better. I think we have a chance to definitely do something special come playoffs.”

Before getting there, Elmont needs to finish out the remainder of its regular-season schedule and plays four of its last five matches on the road with only the Oct. 26 finale against second-place South Side at home.