In just a couple of weeks, WJ boys’ volleyball has amassed an impressive win streak and cemented itself as one of the top dogs in the county.
They enter the last stretch of their season with an impressive 7-0, including wins over Magruder, Quince Orchard, B-CC and Rockville. Six of their matches ended with a 3-0 score. Results from Tuesday night’s game against Churchill were not available at the time of printing.
“We’re improving really consistently. This is probably the most well-rounded team we’ve had since before 2020,” senior captain Noah Rosner said. “[We have] the most club volleyball players who know what they’re doing and can put a ball down and score, and some younger or less experienced travel players who also have a lot of ability to score.”
The team has been able to consistently use communication and motivation to outscore tough opponents, especially in their recent 3-0 win against Rockville High School.
“We kind of had a slow start, but we eased into it pretty easily,” junior Fred Chen said. “I think one thing that was really able to get us that victory was our energy and our communication. Everyone was being super loud in that gym, even with Rockville having their senior night and having a fully packed crowd, we were still beating them in energy.”
The team is aiming to beat last year’s record of 7-4 during the regular season. They also hope to take down their greatest rival, Churchill, whom they haven’t beaten since 2022.
“Our coach, coach Sara, has been putting us through a really tough regimen. Our main goal is to beat Churchill. It’s a game that we’ve practiced for for our whole season,” Chen said.
To accomplish those goals, they have worked to develop a strategy of constant pressure.
“I think it’ll be about pressing consistently and thoughtfully over and over and over again with a lot of intention until eventually they break, that’s where we can sweep in and get them. A lot of consistent serving, consistent passing. Nothing crazy, just score, pass, set, hit,” Rosner said.
In a game where constant communication is necessary to achieve a win, the team has worked to foster a welcoming and collaborative environment. This includes providing encouragement for the team’s new members just as much as the more experienced players.
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“I’m really proud of how accepting the team is,” freshman Christian Greer said. “Even though I’m not the best on the team, they’re very supportive of whatever I do. When I make a mistake, or when somebody else makes a mistake, there’s always positive encouragement and feedback.”
The Cats’ next match will be tonight vs Whitman High School at 7 p.m. After spring break, the Cats will face off against Northwood and Blair before the county tournament.
