The men’s volleyball team’s first season was last year, and this year it has added a junior varsity team.
In addition to growing the sport and having enough boys interested in playing to form another team, the varsity team is having success again this year. The team’s record is currently 9-3 (2-1 region).
“I like to stay fit, try new sports, and make new friends,” Sophomore Jase Wethington said.
Men’s volleyball was created as a sport in 1895 by an instructor at YMCA who was trying to create a sport involving basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball all in one. The sport has had many successes throughout the years and is still progressing. Many of the players say it’s given them new opportunities and a lot of memories.
“There’ve been a lot of exciting memories and lots of wins,” Jase said. “The bus rides are some of the best memories.”
Coach Christine Gifford coached the men’s team in its initial varsity season last year but is coaching only the women’s team this year.
“It was fun to get them started and know that it was going to be historical,” she said.
The team has said that having a new coach, Ms. Gracie Hinson, has been different, but they are glad to get a new persective. Coach Hinson used to be the girls’ junior varsity and B-team coach.
“I wasn’t expecting to coach boys this year,” Coach Hinson said, “but I’m very pleased to. It was an unexpected blessing.”