Photo by Isaac Myers ’18 – Wednesday, April 6, Frosh Volleyball defeats Hamilton in a 2-0 set.

By Luis Torres ’16
THE ROUNDUP

With a record of 16-17-1 as of April 19, volleyball’s young team is rising to the occasion despite their inexperience.  

“The season is going a lot better than I thought it would,” said head coach Mr. Tony Oldani. “The biggest challenge so far has been instilling the culture of the team with the newest members of the team.”

The new additions, three of which are sophomores starting every game, are a focal point of the team’s plans.

“Connor Dunn ’18 is very talented as a sophomore,” Mr. Oldani said.

Jordan Briggs ’17, who plays outside hitter, agrees with the potential Dunn has as a member of this team.

“For a sophomore starting at setter, he has a lot to learn but has done a great job so far,” Briggs said. “He has kept an open mind the whole time and he works hard and performs well, which sets the team up for success.”

However, it’s not just on the court play that matters to the squad.

“The team has really grown in confidence, greatly in part to a heightened sense of cohesion between players and greater effectiveness as a team on the court,” said middle blocker and team captain Fred Miller ’16.

Senior leadership has not only set a bar of what is expected but has created an environment of inclusiveness that has allowed the sophomores to step up.

“The guys are competitive and there’s not a lot of ego on the court,” Mr. Oldani said. “Compassion and unity allows mistakes be mistakes rather than negative judgement or attitude.”

With some of the toughest teams in the state left on the schedule, the team’s tangible goal of qualifying for state will be put to the test.

Most recently, the team competed in the Easter Invitational in Las Vegas and placed second with a record of 8-1.  

“We’re not going to be a top-five seed for state,” Mr. Oldani said. “However, no one is going to want to play us in the first couple rounds.”