As the school year kicks off, so do fall sports at Oak Park High School. For the volleyball team, that means they are hitting the beach for another great season. Boys beach volleyball returns to the sand as two time league champions, hungry for wins.
“I am very excited for the upcoming season especially because of all our success last year,” senior Adam Noy said. “Our fiercest competition is Westlake and Royal, the boys and I can not wait to play them and win!”
A new season comes with new changes and challenges, especially this year.
“The team dynamic has definitely shifted because of our new coach, Coach Harger,” junior Niko Papanicolaou said. “Before, it was more about having fun. Now, it is more centered around getting better, growing as a team and winning. With a new coach came new skills and if we focus and learn, I believe we can excel.”
Although winning is the goal, the new head coach Chris Harger hopes to give the boys a good experience and build strong friendships, regardless of the result.
“No one remembers coming to practice everyday and a lot of the time you don’t even remember all the games you play,” Harger said. “What you are going to remember is the friendships that were made and the big plays or winning the big games. Or even when we came back from the big deficit and won a game you were losing. Just big moments like that are a lot of fun to remember.”
Every year, beach volleyball season lacks the element of surprise as it holds the same tournaments and games against the same teams. However, this year a new league is available to players.
“One of the things that Oak Park players are excited for is the new MB elite league,” senior Alex Newman said. “It is an opportunity created by the coach who runs the league for the higher level players to play against each other. I am excited for the opportunity to represent Oak Park well in this new league.”
To set themselves up for success in the season, the boys are training and preparing vigorously.
¨We are working on our communication between our pairs and as a whole,” sophomore Asher Bennet said. “Everyone is working very hard at practices and improving their skills everyday. I believe we are very prepared to do great this season.”
A beach volleyball season is a journey that requires strategic planning, full dedication and pair chemistry. Coach Harger hopes to leave a good impact and share his knowledge with the program. Come support the team at their first tournament at Will Rogers State Beach on Aug. 17.
