The Boys’ Volleyball team, coached by Mr. Nugent, has completed its second season as a sport offered at HHS. (Credit: Joshua Ross)

Starting a new team is no easy task, but the hard work put in by Coach Nugent and the family and friends of players has allowed the boys’ volleyball team to continue to grow in its second season. The team finished with four wins in total; however, the team grew considerably throughout the season and faced many tough opponents, so the record doesn’t reflect the hard work and dedication the players put into the game. Led by seniors Nole Ruccio, Joe Andrews, Matty Cummings, and Liam Warshaw, the varsity team proved to be a competitive lineup, even against tough opponents like undefeated New Bedford. The seniors were a core part of the team this season, and the loss of them will be tough to get over next season, but the team is in good hands with juniors Randy Chen, Derek Ogar, and Jeremy Lavoie. They will have to step up to pick up the slack. However, sophomores CJ Cohen-DiPierro, Edward Wightman, and Andrii Leonov are very promising players and will contribute to the success of the team next year as well. Even the youngest players showed promise, although the JV team didn’t finish with any wins. One of the highlights of the season was 8th grader Coen Melgoza getting varsity playing time as libero, proving to be a valuable asset for the future of the team.

Although the team had a great season on the court, they also impacted the HHS community in other ways. Many fans came to watch games this season to show support. HHS freshman Ava Halsing went to a game this season and said, “There was a fun and positive energy in the environment.” This is something that the team fosters by leading cheers on the bench and supporting their teammates after scoring a point. There were also numerous pasta parties hosted throughout the season, featuring diverse food, which were great bonding experiences for the team. This, of course, is owed to the wonderful boosters who raised funds for the team. This season would not have been possible without their support.

The team has also been a great experience for the players. When asked what his favorite part of being on the team was, freshman player Liam O’Toole said, “I liked the community we built here, it’s a lot better than some other sports I’ve played, and everybody is so nice and sincere.” Although the season is over, the boys’ volleyball program has only just begun, and it will continue to grow in the years to come.