In the offseason, Nazareth girls volleyball coach Esai Velez met with his team to discuss several topics.

After the Roadrunners finished with a 3-31 record last season, Velez inquired about the job without much knowledge about the program.

“I’m basically not from the area,” Velez said. “I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but I did know a couple things about the program, mainly from a club owner I knew well. Also, I live in LaGrange Park, so I know how big the football program is. Most of my neighbors go to Nazareth.

“The little things I knew were that Nazareth was a very respected school, but besides a few things people told me about the volleyball program, I didn’t know much.”

So, Velez set out in the initial meeting to talk in-depth with his returning players and newcomers to tr

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