After beating CBC in the District competition, boys volleyball advanced to the quarter finals for the first time since 2017. 

Bryson Lester, senior, is excited to have advanced this far in his first season playing volleyball, especially after closely winning in five sets. 

“Now we know not to let off the gas at all,” Lester said. “After winning two sets, we have to keep going until we actually win the game.”

After playing in the quarter-finals match against Lafayette on Friday, the Mustangs unfortunately lost, ending their season with a 20-10 record. 

Noah Landewe, sophomore, said there’s been intense pressure for the team to succeed, and for him personally because he’s playing as an underclassman. 

“Other players look up to us and want us to succeed,” Landewe said. 

He said the goal of the team has been to make it to the final four, and now with a shot at that, they’re kicking into higher gear, increasing practices and energy levels on the court. 

After losing to SLUH, Landewe said the team was struggling to rebound, but it reinvigorated their drive, and then they won in Districts. 

“Everybody celebrated. Everybody was smiling. Everybody contributed,” Landewe said. “It’s something we strongly implement on our team, no one’s ever left out.”

Andrew Hummert, boys volleyball coach, said he was elated the team had such a big accomplishment to speak for. After their win, Hummert said the team needed to make a few adjustments and focus on eating right and getting sleep. 

“We have been stressing the importance of making sure that we are recovering over the past 48 hours so we can be 100% when the game begins,” Hummert said.

The team is strong defensively, never giving up the play until the whistle is blown, Hummert said. Where they lack is in their size and strength. 

“We are often going up against teams with guys who are taller than everyone on our team,” Hummert said. 

Playing one of the hardest roles in volleyball, Logan Schoonover, senior, isn’t necessarily worried about the other teams’ size as the Libero, but rather their range. The Libero is a back row defensive specialist, meaning they do a lot of diving and saves. 

“Honestly, it kinda sucks that I gotta dive everywhere,” Schoonover said. “My knees are always killing me, and it’s not the biggest glory position. No one cares when I make a save or assist. They’re only worried about who scores the points.”

The win in Districts, though, gave the entire team, including Schoonover, something to be proud of. 

“We’re undefeated at home since we hosted Districts and that kind of helped everyone else get ready for the next game,” Schoonover said.