While their fellow student-athletes have had their spring seasons disrupted by seemingly endless stretches of rain, the Northampton boys volleyball team has been chugging along during a resurgent 2024 campaign.

Last Saturday, they took to the warm and dry confines of Pete Schneider Gymnasium and easily dispatched visiting North Pocono in straight sets, 25-19, 25-15, 25-16.

Landon Nickischer led the way with 8 kills. Kieran Lieb and Logan Berger both had 5. Brad Chamberlain was tops with 16 digs. Berger chipped 9 and Cameron Coccetti 7. Coccetti had 10 assists with Caden Dempsey dishing out 7. Blake Youwakim had 4 aces. Berger had 4 blocks.

With the outcome not really in doubt after the first set, head coach Sue Arndt was able to provide some playing opportunities for some lesser-used players. She discussed that approach, “It’s very important because they put the work in every day at practice and I continue to remind them that because they put the work in, everybody’s getting better as a whole.”

Spencer Parker’s stint on the court was especially popular with his teammates. “They continue to encourage him and he is one of the people that encourages everyone else. He’s always adding something. It might not always be on the court. It is the mental things too. He’s a good kid. He really is,” added Arndt.

Landon Nickischer continues to write himself into Northampton volleyball history. He recently passed the major career benchmark for a hitter, 500 kills, and is within range to set the season and career records by the time his senior season wraps up.

“I was worried I was never going to get there honestly. I’ve been injured every season. I’m dealing with an injury right now. I really just want to contribute to the team. I’m not a statistics guy. I’m happy to hit 500. I’m happy to get on the leaderboard for kills, but mostly I’m happy to help the team out when I’m healthy,” said Nickischer.

The K-Kids are 6-5 overall for the season and 5-3 in the EPC with the result of Wednesday’s match against 1-7 Bethlehem Catholic not available at press time. Assuming a win against the Golden Hawks, Northampton could clinch a district playoff berth with wins against 4-7 Dieruff at home Saturday morning and at Southern Lehigh (5-4) on Tuesday.

Their closing stretch is very tough with one big unknown. Freedom (9-3), Abington Heights (District 2, 3-3), Parkland (7-2), and Whitehall (8-2) are all lurking. The Kids will have to win one of those big EPC matches to get into the league tournament. They are currently seventh and six teams qualify.