4/28/25
At 6’5″, Gian Gomez has become a force to be reckoned with on the volleyball court for St. Joseph Metuchen. The senior outside hitter has already accumulated over 470 career kills and is helping lead the third-ranked Falcons as they pursue their third consecutive Group 2 state championship.
After a challenging 0-3 start to the season, St. Joseph has rebounded impressively, winning 12 straight matches to improve to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in the competitive GMC Red Division. Gomez points to improved team chemistry as a key factor in their turnaround.
“I feel like we had to create chemistry between everyone after just losing team captain Noah Stout and Shlok Patel. They were our glue to the team,” Gomez explains. “Sam Contursi and I took that role this year as being the glue of the team. I know it took a little while to get on a roll and play as one unit.”
The Falcons’ improvement was perhaps most evident in their recent rematch against South Brunswick. After losing to them earlier in the season, St. Joseph bounced back with a 2-1 victory in which Gomez delivered a season-high 24 kills.
“Our team in the beginning was very nervous about the season and expectations,” says Gomez. “After the first three games we have found our groove, and we won’t look back.”
Gomez credits much of his development to head coach Miguel Cabrita, who has helped him evolve as both a player and leader. “He taught me a lot over the years especially how to pass and even the simple stuff with ball control,” Gomez says. “He’s teaching me how to hit at a college level and getting me ready as much as possible for next year.”
That next year will see Gomez taking his talents to St. Francis University, where he’ll compete at the Division I level. “I chose Saint Francis over a bunch of schools because of how much of a family they are and how the culture there is,” he shares. “That’s the culture I need to succeed at the next level.”
His journey to becoming one of New Jersey’s top volleyball players wasn’t always certain. Despite his height, Gomez played basketball throughout high school before finding his true passion on the volleyball court.
“The feeling of playing volleyball was just different,” Gomez recalls. “After watching Scott Schmitt play my freshman year I was inspired to pursue volleyball.”
Gomez’s progression has been remarkable, going from just 1 kill as a sophomore to 314 as a junior. Now in his senior season, he’s already added 157 kills, 44 digs, 14 blocks, and 19 service aces through 15 matches.
His on-court connection with setters Sam Contursi and Sean Martinez has been crucial to the team’s success. “I think our chemistry over time became insane the way they got me the ball,” says Gomez. “It’s like they know how I like it even though we run tempos that no one has seen before.”
As defending state champions, the Falcons face heightened expectations and every opponent’s best effort. “It’s been like that for St. Joseph’s for a while,” Gomez acknowledges. “Every team wanted a piece of us even in the regular season. It gets you ready for every team and to not underestimate anyone.”
With several challenging matches remaining on their schedule, including a highly anticipated rematch with Old Bridge on April 29, Gomez and the Falcons continue to focus on improvement and their ultimate goal of a third straight championship.
For younger players looking to follow in his footsteps, Gomez offers perspective gained from his own experience: “Wait your turn. I had to play under Scott Schmitt, the NJ player of the year in 2023. I learned a lot by watching him and gained experience by just practicing with him.”
As his high school career enters its final stretch, Gomez has already established himself among St. Joseph’s volleyball greats with his impressive accomplishments: Second team All-state, GMC all Red Division, All Group 2 first team and MVP, Rhody invitational MVP, and most importantly, two state championships with a chance for a third on the horizon.
