Pass, set, mens volleyball is a hit

the time they spend coaching the team.

The team found success in several aspects of the game, including serving as well as passing. The offense is also very strong with a balanced attack across the court.

“We have boys at every position who can swing and swing hard,” head mens and womens volleyball coach McCall said.

But through all of the strengths this group holds on the court, their team bond has been their greatest asset in competition.

“During practices and games, the vibes are just really fun, we all have a good time playing games, and we’re all just laughing and having a good time,” senior Luke Morrison said.

Unfortunately a balanced offense does not mean a consistent one. McCall said the team struggles in hitting consistency, the players combat this with time spent practicing their hitting.

The team has also taken up watching game film, looking for ways to improve. But since they do not have their own Hudl account, the team uses the womens volleyball Hudl for film. They also started to keep stats in order to track progress as the season moves forward.

While the team’s bond and chemistry are a strength, emotion on the court can be troublesome for this group.

Sophomore Will Strub said, “We try to keep energy up and bring each other up by playing our game and helping others if they’re down.”

Only graduating one senior in 2022, the team has grown in volleyball experience together, plus some of the players played club volleyball together in the off-season. Despite five seniors graduating in the class of 2023, the future is bright for this group of volleyball players as they make the potential move to MSHSAA.

“I’m excited to see what the team might look like next year,” Strub said.

MSHSAA policy states that over half of Missouri high schools will have to register it in order for it to be added to the list of sanctioned sports.

According to district athletic director Casey Vokolek, it will likely be known whether or not mens volleyball will become a sport in the late spring or early summer, and if it does, Oak Park and other North Kansas City schools plan to field varsity teams.