St. Peter's Prep wins the 2009 Rhody Invitational

The most competitive boys’ high school volleyball tournament ever held in Rhode Island took place on April 18 at the Community College of Rhode Island in Lincoln. St. Peter’s Prep, from Jersey City, N.J., triumphed over 15 other teams to capture the championship.  The 16 teams invited to the tournament were selected based on their winning traditions or their projected success in 2009.   The seven teams that represented Rhode Island included Bishop Hendricken, Chariho, East Providence, Mount St. Charles, North Kingstown, Pilgrim and South Kingstown. Representing Massachusetts was Cambridge Ringe & Latin, Chicopee Comp, Haverhill, Ludlow, Minnechaug, Newton North and Newton South. Besides St. Peter’s Prep, the other team representing New Jersey was Don Bosco Prep.  St. Peter’s Prep defeated Chicopee Comp in the finals, 25-23, 25-22. The two teams beat North Kingstown and South Kingstown respectively in the semifinals. Parker Kolodka of St. Peter’s Prep was named the tournament’s most valuable player.  The tournament was organized by the Rhode Island Boys’ Volleyball Coaches Association. The inaugural event, held in 2006, was won by St. Joseph’s, from Metuchen, N.J.  “It was very exciting to see these teams from different states, who have all been successful, match up against each other,” said Tournament Director Neil Nachbar. “The tournament was a great experience for the players and served as a showcase for the sport of boys’ volleyball.”