The Oak Park boys beach volleyball team ended its season with a small but close group. Instead of a crowded beach and constant rotations, players got to spend more time on the court. Still, this change brought about a mix of feelings.
“One takeaway I have for this year is that I was surprised at how small the team got this year. When I was a freshman and sophomore, we had around 20 people in practice and this year, it was cut down to eight,” senior Abhiyan Lahiri said.
With a smaller number of players in the program this year, practices felt different from seasons before.
“This was effective because all the pairs were able to get more reps but I did miss having fun with my teammates in a big group,” Lahiri said.
Even with fewer teammates, the group found ways to make memories. Hours spent at the beach between drills and matches turned into moments the players will remember long after the season.
“My favorite memory from the season was hanging out with my friends at the beach and forming stronger bonds with my teammates,”senior Noah Bouchard said.
For some players, this season also meant stepping into a new level. Moving from junior varsity to varsity brought tougher competition and higher expectations. It pushed players to think quicker and communicate more.
“Last year I was on JV and this year I was on Varsity. So the biggest difference was the level of competition was a lot higher, and definitely more intense. One difference was teamwork. In JV all you really need is the basics,” junior Anshuman Udyan said.
The step up from JV can be overwhelming and some would find themselves preparing outside of practice.
“Varsity requires a lot more communication and strategies. On varsity I would find myself strategizing off and on the court,” Udyan said.
That growth also came with new partnerships. Some players even switched teammates halfway through the season. It forced some adaptations but also helped build trust.
“It was definitely a big change, but we learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We had to readjust our play style and communicate better,” Udyan said.
The year may not have been long or packed with players, but it was full of progression, friendships and effort. As the Eagles look ahead, they leave this season knowing they grew not only as athletes, but as a team.
