Rarely do sports teams find success in their first official season, but with their undefeated start this year combined with incredible talent, the new boys volleyball team might be set for success for years to come. In their first season, both JV and varsity level teams were made, and the varsity squad began the season 4-0 with wins over South Iredell, Draughn and Lexington twice.
Head coach Patrick Shugart believed they would have a small but strong varsity team going into this year, but with more boys trying out than anticipated, they were able to create both varsity and JV teams that showcase their future depth.
“We knew that we would be competitive right away because we have a relatively high number of boys that already play travel club volleyball, but we weren’t expecting how many new boys would want to play. I think this sets us up in a good position to start a strong program,” Shugart said.
Whether on beach volleyball or separate club teams, many of the varsity players have already played together in the past. This has given them an advantage from the jump and allowed them to start the season strong.
“I’ve been on a club team called Twin City Volleyball Academy for six years, and most of the players on the team have played beach [volleyball] or we play club ball, so having team chemistry came easy, but just playing more and practicing helps,” senior Hayden Lichty said.
While many of the varsity players have played together in the past, some of the JV players are new to volleyball altogether. However, that has not stopped them from leading their team as they look to get better on the court while remaining diligent in school as well.
“This is my first year playing volleyball, but I try to lead on the court just by being there for my teammates and off the court just doing the right things in the classroom,” junior Tariq Lawson said.
Boys volleyball has grown in popularity throughout the state, and West is the first school in the conference to have a team. The Titans are set on making sure the sport’s popularity continues to spread across the entirety of North Carolina.
“For our team, it’s about being ambassadors for the sport. That means showing the new players the ropes, as well as demonstrating to our spectators what an exciting, dynamic sport boys volleyball is. Boys volleyball is experiencing enormous growth throughout the state, and we want to be an exemplar for why that is the case,” Shugart said.
While the team wants to see the growth of the game continue in the future both at West and throughout the state, the team still has one goal in mind: winning a state championship.
“The goal as a whole would be to win states but also to build the sport and try and make it more mainstream. For me personally, it would be to have fun and bring home a state championship,” junior Jack Thompson said.
No matter how ambitious it may seem, this boys volleyball team contains the grit, experience and teamwork necessary to succeed in their first season.