Boys’ volleyball team serves up the season

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ALLURA MCCULLER

Junior Ian Renninger spikes the ball at practice. The team played its first match March 30. “My favorite part is going up to spike the ball,” Renninger said.

“Before this year, we have not been taken seriously, but I think we have really shown improvement. We have started to play like a team and have been able to put a couple of wins together. It’s too bad we are no longer in the Berks League because I believe we would have been able to compete. Hopefully our underclassmen will have further success,” senior Richard Scott said.

The boys’ volleyball team’s record is 2-6, with wins over Reading and Southern Lehigh and losses to Wyomissing, William Allen, Easton, Schuylkill Valley, Daniel Boone and Reading. Many of the players are multiple-sport athletes, some of whom started the volleyball season fresh off of the basketball team’s run to state playoffs.

The team’s strengths are the players’ athletic ability as a whole, offensive attacking capabilities and their size up in front of the net. Some of their weaknesses include passing and closing out games due to the lack of experience, according to Mr. Dan Hedemann, head coach.

No other school in the county has a varsity boys’ volleyball team. Because of this, the boys used to play in the Berks League. The Berks League wanted to go exclusive in sports this year, which forced the PAHS boys’ volleyball team out and into its own independent league. Instead of being a part of a set of teams, Mr. Eric Rismiller worked during the offseason to find teams that would play them.

“I feel it’s tougher competition, but it’s nothing we can’t handle,” Holobetz said.

There’s an inside joke within the team that they are Schuylkill League champs every year. Coach Hedemann enjoys how much fun they have as a team. He’s grateful that the team remains committed to the program while enjoying themselves.

“I find that to be very unique and special in the sports world,” Mr. Hedemann said.