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In with the new, and out with the old! This year, the boys’ varsity volleyball team had an influx of new players after losing many valuable veterans.
With only half the team returning from last season, the team now has more new faces than ever. “In the past seasons, the team usually had around 75 percent of its members returning," senior middle blocker Spencer Wong said.
This year, veterans will play a key part in being role models for the newer players. “Half of the team is basically new,” Wong said. “But then the newer members can practice more and get more help from the coaches and older members.”
After bonding and playing together during the preseason games and winning their first game of the season against the Washington Eagles, the team is working together as a team and is off to a good start. During the Washington game on Wednesday, March 10, the team won 3-0. “The first game of the season was a game we should have won, and we won it,” senior outside hitter Chen-Chen Huo said. “As we play more, I feel the team is getting better, and we're definitely starting to build some chemistry.”
The loss of last year's seniors Christopher Leung and Jonathan Li, both towering at 6’4’’, and senior Michael Li, who made the All-League 2nd team's libero, resulted in a team with less height this year. With no one on the team over six feet, Wong and sophomore middle blocker Eli Pleaner, both just under 6 feet, are working to fill in Li’s and Leung’s shoes. After losing two middle blockers and a libero, the team needs to build skills to recuperate from a weaker defensive.
The team has a good basis to build those skills as several players are experienced and all are strengthening their skills. Many of the new members such as freshman Enders Ng and junior Stanley Lin have proven their skills. “Enders and Stanley are key new players,” senior manager Erin Lee said. “Enders is another setter that we needed and Stanley is a great passer. They pick up things quickly.”
After a disappointing loss to Balboa High School in the championships last year, the team looks to reclaim the title this season. “Last year we had a really strong team that communicated well,” Lee said. “Even though we ended up losing championships, our team played hard.”
Come support the volleyball team at 4 p.m. on March 24 at Galileo against the Lions.
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