Senior Night:
On May 8, 2025, the John F. Kennedy Mustangs Boys Volleyball team faced off against the Sayreville Bombers for their last home game. This was also the boys’ senior night, celebrating eight seniors: Manan Patel, Raman Pandit, Eddy Santiago, Jayden France, Bhavik Shah, Aryan Patel, Ammar Chaudhary, and Veer Talreja.
Each senior had impressive nights of their own, but Eddy recorded 10 kills and 6 digs, Manan set 26 assists, and Raman hit 8 kills, which were the most notable.
Overall, the seniors played an impressive game, beating the Bombers in two sets, 0-2. For both sets, the seniors played the entire game, which, normally, wouldn’t have been the case. Excluding the junior, Ved Patel, the other 8 players on the court were the seniors, allowing them to enjoy one of the last games in the JFK gym.
We talked to the seniors about their insight as the season is coming to an end.
How did it feel to break your assist record?
M. Patel: It felt great, it was an amazing game. The crowd did support me since it was unreal. Knowing that my name would be on the banner, with only two names are up there. I feel proud of myself, but of course, without the help of my teammates, I couldn’t have done it. I’m very grateful.
What advice would you give to the younger players?
Shah: Attend all the practices, and work hard at practice. Put in the work to achieve your goals.
Pandit: I would just say don’t give up. I never gave up. I got cut for two years, and I still made the team after two years, junior and senior year.
Santiago: Don’t compare yourself to others, just keep trying and keep pushing yourself, there is always room to get better.
Patel: Focus on yourselves, don’t blame your teammates for why your team is losing. Just focus on yourself and make sure you do good. Attend practices, don’t say you have homework, so you can skip practice. Attend every single practice and don’t blame the team for the losses.
A. Patel: Just really try to form that team bond that we’ve formed this senior year. It does help on the court and makes the season fun.
What is your most memorable game or moment on the court?
Shah: Getting a kill on junior varsity playing outside for the first time, and it was it in the first set.
Pandit: Probably the Edison game, away, we won- beat them. I got eight kills so a pretty good game.
Santiago: Probably getting my first kill in sophomore year, it was a very big moment considering I just got promoted from junior varsity to varsity. I proved a point, showing people I worked hard, and that was my moment.
M. Patel: Senior night, where I reached my 1,000th assist, and it was on match point too.
A. Patel: The first Edison game, and we were the underdogs and came on top, so that was good.
What will you miss most about the team?
A. Patel: The people, having someone to rely on if you need a ride home or if you need to go out afterwards.
