Boys volleyball started last week, and they have made it very clear their high expectations for this season. The perennial DII playoff team won a championship in 2023 and was eliminated in the semifinals last season; those playoff hopes remain high through this season as they look for another championship.
“My goal for this season is to win a DII State Championship,” head coach Lyndsey Larson said.“I think our team has what it takes to accomplish this goal if we can stay healthy and focus on the mental aspects of the game.”
The team’s goal looks very reachable, as they started the season 3-0, with aa close 3-2 win against Coventry and a clutch 3-2 comeback win versus Tolman.
“We treat every night like it’s the championship,” said senior captain Jackson Colton. “We truly don’t want to lose a game this year.”
Although this is a lofty goal, it is very much achievable, and that’s thanks to players stepping up this season. Four impactful seniors for the volleyball team graduated last year, calling upon the rest to fill their roles. Junior Tyler Biddle filled in for Wayne McNamara, Senior John Barros for Jacques Guerrier, and Sebastian DeCubellis for Austin Noel.
Coach Larson’s confidence in these players has been justified by their play on the court, as each of them has filled the statsheet to start this season. Led by Colton, the team is well on their way to accomplishing their goals of a championship.
In order to do so, Coach Larson has emphasized the importance of the mental aspect of the game this season.
“I really want them to hone in on the mental side of the game and be prepared mentally for big games and playoffs,” she said. “We need to play with confidence and then we can play our game.” On top of this, she really wants the team to “expand their knowledge of the game and their opponent in order to gain an edge and win close games.”
The team looks to push to 4-0 as they play Westerly on Wednesday.
“I know what we’re capable of and so do the guys, so we’re gonna hold each other accountable until we achieve our goals,” said Colton. It will definitely be a fun watch to see the team improve upon their stretch of dominance.
