By Jim Hague
Observer Sports Writer
Alan Clements enjoyed an excellent career as a volleyball coach, first at Fair Lawn High School, where he still teaches, then on the college ranks at Bergen County Community College, then Felician College and finally Mercy College in New York, where he spent three years.
But then Clements walked away from coaching the sport he loved – because of two other people he loved more.
You see, Clements is a single father, raising his son and daughter on his own.
“They were a junior and senior in high school and they were starting to search for colleges,” Clements said. “So I had to get away from coaching for a while.”
But after both of his children had settled into college, they pleaded with their father to do one thing.
“They said, ‘Dad, you have to get back into it,’” Clements said. “So I started looking.”
A little more than a year ago, Clements made a few phone calls to friends in the volleyball ranks. He found out that Lyndhurst needed a new head coach.
“I knew that Lyndhurst was rebuilding,” Clements said. “But I like building things. It’s not the place most coaches would go, but I thought I could blend in and build something.”
When Clements arrived last year, the Lyndhurst girls’ volleyball program was in transition.
“But I never had a group of girls who worked harder,” Clements said. “We were basically starting from scratch. These girls bought in and had a summer program. They went to camp together.”
The Golden Bears won a total of nine matches last season, but had almost a complete turnover from last year. Most of the starters on last year’s team graduated.
Clements knew that this year’s team was ready to work.
“We scheduled the first practice at 3:30 p.m. because I still work in Fair Lawn,” Clements said. “We got out early that day and I went straight to Lyndhurst. When I got there at 2:15, I found 29 girls sitting outside in the heat, waiting to practice. That showed me they were eager. Then, after practice was over, they asked if they could stay and keep going. They’re not great volleyball players, but they’re dedicated athletes.”
Most of Clements’ roster never even played the sport of volleyball before they enrolled at Lyndhurst.
“I joined the sport because I wanted to do something new,” said senior outside hitter Rachel Martin. “I always played soccer before high school. But I wanted to do something different.” Michael Rizzo, currently a vice-principal and a former assistant volleyball coach as well as the school’s bowling coach, taught a lot of the current members of the Golden Bears when they were in eighth grade. Rizzo encouraged many of them to consider playing volleyball – and they did.
“I really thought it would be fun,” said Kathleen Totaro, a senior defensive specialist. “Rizzo was the one who brought me in, because he sounded like he knew what he was doing.”
“I wanted to try something new things in high school,” said senior Jessica Shortino. “Volleyball just seemed so intense. Coach Rizzo was so enthusiastic about me playing.”
Others liked what the sport offered.
“I liked the intensity of it,” said senior settler Samantha DaSilva. “I loved diving on the floor after the ball. The game is real quick. I loved the pace of the game.”
“I just like being involved,” said senior setter Emily Young. “My sister played volleyball, so I knew about the sport. Rizzo helped by putting the bug in my ear.”
But there was no guarantee that the newcomers would be successful.
“We knew it was going to be tough, because none of us had experience,” Young said. “We were all starting from scratch. We were building a team.”
So the new coach was inheriting new players who all had the same goal.
“We wanted to do something special,” Shortino said.
As they all entered their senior year, the Golden Bears wanted to make their final season their best.
“I always feel like we’re going to have a successful season,” Clements said. “That’s just the way I feel. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make the state playoffs and the county playoffs.”
Seemed like a lofty goal for a team that won only nine matches last year. But the Golden Bears have defied the odds and have already won 10 times this year.
“I think we have a group of overachievers,” Clements said. “They work so hard all the time. They are good role models. The freshmen actually look up to them. It’s all good. They want to learn the right way to play and are doing some really nice things. Other coaches are amazed with what we’re doing, but I always had faith. I think we’re where I thought we would be.”
The players are enthused about their prospects.
“It feels great,” Martin said. “We never had a winning season before. I think we’re setting an example for those younger than us. “
“It’s almost surreal,” Totaro said. “As a senior, it’s great that we’re finally able to win. I’m excited for the entire program, because I know the program will succeed after we leave.”
DaSilva agreed.
“No one expected us to do well,” DaSilva said. “This is such a change from years past.”
“Every senior wants to go out with a bang,” Young said. “We’re proving everyone wrong.”
Led by a coach who always believed in his team.
“I get up every morning and can’t wait to get here,” Clements said. “I love my job in Fair Lawn, but these girls are like my second family. They all have great attitudes and want to play. I never have a discipline problem with them. It’s been great.”
So have been the results. The Golden Bears have a winning volleyball season. That says it all.
