One of the newest sports to launch on campus is the boys volleyball team, but it isn’t structured as the typical school sports team is. The volleyball team consists of three high schools in Albany being merged together to form a team that is able to compete with other teams around the state. The volleyball team consists of West Albany High School, South Albany High School, and Santiam Christian High School, although a majority of the players on the team are from West. Most players on campus suggest that they enjoy the unconventional dynamics of their team.
“I think that it creates a sense of unity because we go to a different school and [also] that we go play with our ‘rivals’ at South. And even at that, it doesn’t stop us from being friends. I [personally] think it’s kind of humorous that we’re playing with South, but I think it affects [us] for the better,” Varsity player and sophomore Derek Henriquez said.
Despite bringing together players from different schools, the consistent question that has risen is why it has taken so long for the boys’ version of the sport to kick off, and the problem does not necessarily lie with any of the schools part of the team.
“I’m not completely sure [the reason why, and] it honestly doesn’t make sense [for there not to be a boys team]. In other states, there’s been a boys volleyball team for decades. We [just] haven’t had a boys volleyball [division] in Oregon,” Varsity player and junior Dallin Berg said.
Most players on campus and other supporters have wanted a boys volleyball team to exist for years now, but the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) only voted on establishing the sport just last year. Since then, many schools across Oregon have jumped at the opportunity to establish their own teams for boys and the sport has generated a lot of buzz in the few years it has been official.
“I think there [was] a lot of interest. It just took a while for someone to take the first step and then once it happened, everyone jumped on [board] right away,” Junior Varsity player and senior Chayton Schuerger said.
The demand for the sport is not a recent phenomenon; high school students around the state had been requesting the formal existence of the sport in high schools for ages. OSAA has not given a clear reason as to why they took so long to create a boys division.
“Even when my dad was in high school in Portland, he would petition for boys volleyball teams, [but] it never went through,” Berg said.
Our boy’s volleyball team is hopeful that through their hard work, they will be able to score high in state championships this year, as players believe they have really grown as individuals and as a team this year.
“We’ve only had one or two losses, [and] I think as the season goes on, we’ll get better and better,” Schuerger said.
Looking forward, the players are excited not only for this season, but for the experiences that they’ll be able to carry with them once they leave high school.
“A lot of the experiences I’ve had on the team allows me to make more friendships and even get into different [universities]…so I think [playing volleyball] will help me get into my dream college,” Henriquez said.
