Greenwich High volleyball team hosts strong Staples squad on Senior Day; Cardinals to face Wreckers in FCIAC Tournament semifinal-round

By David Fierro on May 22, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by David Fierro**: Keito Fukushima, left and Hiro Sibble are senior captains of the Greenwich High School varsity boys volleyball team. They were among the seniors honored on the Cardinals’ Senior Day match against Staples at GHS.

The 2025 season has been one of significant improvement for Greenwich High School’s varsity boys volleyball team, which has won six matches this spring, following a two-win season in 2024.

After not qualifying for the FCIAC Tournament one season ago, the Cardinals earned a berth in the FCIAC tourney this year. Greenwich, which has a record of 6-12, is seeded No. 8 in the FCIAC Tournament and will play No. 1-seeded Staples in the quarterfinal-round, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd (tomorrow) at Staples High School.

Greenwich celebrated its Senior Day on May 19th against Staples, which has an overall record of 16-3 and is 13-1 in the FCIAC, earning the conference tournament’s top seed. The Wreckers posted a 25-20, 25-13, 25-15 victory over the host Cardinals, who showed plenty of positive signs against their formidable foe.

“Staples has always been a competitive team and I’ve heard they’ve had some big wins this year, so I knew we were up against a very tough foe,” Greenwich coach George Kailas said. “At the end of the day, what we could have changed, we needed to control a little bit better. But that’s volleyball and we try to learn from each game and move past it.”

**Photo by David Fierro:** Members of the Greenwich High School varsity boys volleyball team huddle up prior to beginning a set against visiting Staples High School on May 19, 2025. The Cardinals celebrated their Senior Day.

Against Staples, senior co-captain/libero Keito Fukushima recorded a team-high 20 digs and had one assist to help pace Greenwich. Outside hitter Hiro Sibble, a senior co-captain, registered 10 digs and seven kills, to also lead the Cardinals.

The Cardinals’ captains were among the six seniors that Greenwich honored on its special Senior Day.

“It’s very special, I was very appreciative of that,” Sibble said of the Senior Day festivities. Sibble spoke his experience as one of the Cards’ captains.

“I learned a lot about myself and how to express myself to others in a professional manner and more of a communicative way,” Sibble said. “I played four years and it was great. The first two years I was new to volleyball and it was a little intimidating, but all the upper classmen my first two years were great.”

Owen Carreon of Greenwich High School’s varsity volleyball team in action against Staples.

“Being an upperclassman has been a challenge, we’ve had our ups and downs, but it’s been a good experience,” Sibble continued. “Seeing the younger players have a great time has been a great sight to see.”

Gabriel Lazo posted 10 assists and four digs for the Cardinals against the Wreckers. Staples was sparked by senior captains Pierce Brown and Sawyer Makl, both of whom provided clutch kills and stellar serving throughout the match, along with teammate William Stoutenburg, a junior.

“Staples has plenty of hitters, it definitely was a challenge going up against them,” Fukushima said. “But I think the important part of this game was to have fun and give it our all. As long as we give our all, who knows what the result will be.”

From left to right, Keito Fukushima, Dylan Gomez and Hiro Sibble get ready to return a serve against FCIAC foe Staples.

Greenwich’s postseason matchup versus host Staples in the FCIAC Tournament quarterfinals is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Westport.

The Cardinals visited Stamford High School on May 21 and was defeated, 3-0. Stamford is also a strong team and is seeded No. 4 in the FCIAC Tournament. The Black Knights won the match by set scores of 25-17, 25-23, 25-16.

Fukushima tallied 15 digs, one kill and one assist, while Sibble had six digs, five kills, three aces and two blocks for GHS.

Greenwich’s Andrew Park (No. 8) and Dylan Gomez (No. 20) get ready at the net during a home match vs. Staples High.

Junior Logan Jaycox had 10 assists, four digs and two aces for the Cardinals against Stamford. On May 14th, Greenwich earned a 3-1 home triumph against Danbury. The Cardinals won the match, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 27-25.

Junior Dylan Gomez notched 19 digs, eight kills and one ace, Fukushima had 23 digs, one assist and one ace and Sibble posted 20 digs, 25 kills, six aces and two blocks in the winning effort.

Jaycox added 18 assists and 11 digs for the Cardinals, who also received nine digs and 15 assists from Lazo.

Photo by David Fierro: Members of the Greenwich High varsity boys volleyball team gather against Staples High School.

At the Cardinals’ Senior Day match against Staples, Kailas spoke of the seniors’ significance to the squad.

“We’re sad to see our seniors leave, we have six seniors and they are a good senior group,” he said. “The captains are great, they’re skilled, they bring a lot of energy to the game and I feel they have been excellent role models to the younger group.”

Greenwich High School varsity boys volleyball coach George Kailas addresses the team during a timeout against Staples.

“We have a good group of players and athletes,” Kailas continued. “They are very responsible and receptive. They are very positive, they like to cheer every play, so for that, I’m blessed and this program is blessed.”