United they win

The Furness boys’ volleyball squad hasn’t made a playoff appearance in a decade and won just four games last year. This season, the Falcons are 7-3, and leaving stunned opponents all asking the same question:

Where did they come from?

Funny they should ask.

The members of the team hail from China, Cambodia, Mexico and other nations, forming a successful mix that has wowed coach Marv Lenetsky.

"I am really pleased with the team effort we’ve gotten this year," he said. "We have an influx of new kids who have really picked the game up."

Many of the foreign-born athletes played volleyball in their native countries before bringing their skills to Furness.

The season has been filled with dramatic finishes, as the Falcons have picked up three victories in the fifth and deciding game.

The most recent one came in last Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Frankford. The opponent was leading the fifth and deciding game 14-12, and would have sealed the victory if it were the first team to reach 15 points. Instead, Furness tallied four unanswered points on the way to a 16-14 win.

"We are grinding games out," the coach said.

Senior Ryan Ngen, of Eighth and Moore streets, is enjoying the successful run, especially after experiencing losing seasons as a sophomore and junior.

"We have a lot of team chemistry and a lot of excitement," said Ngen, originally from Cambodia. "I am surprised how well we are doing."

The Falcons might not be on the same level as Public League championship contenders Masterman and the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts — who both swept the local squad 3-0 — but they are no longer considered an easy win. When Furness defeated postseason regulars Central 3-2 on March 29, Lenetsky said he realized the athletes were something special.

"That was one of the longest matches ever played in Public League boys’ volleyball," the coach said. "All the games were so close."

Only two members of the Furness team are American-born. The rest emigrated from China, Cambodia, Mexico, Lebanon and Albania.

Several players are still adjusting to the American language and culture. Freshman cousins Yangyuan Li and Xinghua Lin, who live together in Chinatown, have been in the United States for less than a year. At Monday’s practice, classmate Duong Sy, also a freshman, served as an interpreter.

"I like playing with all the guys and winning," Li said.

During the course of a game, shouts fly back and forth in three or four languages. It’s a handy way to keep opponents from figuring out the Furness game plan.

"We speak different languages so nobody understands our team," said senior Gersi Mollaj, a native of Albania.

Freshman Roman Castellanos, from Mexico, speaks mostly Spanish, but he and the others have no problem communicating during practices and games.

When Lin scores a point by finding the open space on the other side of the net, he says it all with a big grin.

Lenetsky attempts to keep practices as basic as possible. The seven wins are a clear sign that the players understand how to rotate, set and hit. When an athlete makes a good play during a game, the coach will point to his head, signaling "smart move."

"What we do is a visual learning process," Lenetsky said. "I get a couple guys to do it and the rest follow through."

Junior Jian Mei, who came to the United States two years ago, said he grew up playing volleyball in China. His native country doesn’t offer volleyball as an afterschool program, so he is enjoying playing here.

Mei has caught on fast to the American version, and the coach considers him one of Furness’ top power hitters.

"I’ve been playing volleyball since I was a little kid," the player said. "I like it. I make more friends."

Juniors Mark Wilson, of the 1500 block of South Broad Street, and Fred Amendt, of Seventh and Jackson streets, are in the minority on the team — they are American and speak only English. But Amendt said he is still getting the benefit of the international experience.

"It’s just awesome that they came to America and we all get along," he said.

Everyone understands the importance of winning the final three regular-season games to get a high playoff seed. Furness entered the week facing matches against Washington, Lincoln and South Philly. Defeating all three would pretty much guarantee the Falcons the third or fourth seed in the playoffs.

The team plans to use its cooperative method for success, just as it has all season.

"We’ll just go day by day and take it one game at a time," Lenetsky said.