With a record of 16 wins and seven losses, the Cavaliers of PA’s boys volleyball team have earned the spot of fourth in Virginia Beach. As the season comes to a close, the team is proud of their accomplishments and continuous growth over the past few months. Last season, the boys ended with a record of 13 wins and 10 losses landing at fifth in the beach. This school year, the Cavaliers have dominated on the court and hope to continue doing so in regionals.
Sophomore Grant Parrish, one of the starting setters on the team expresses his pride and satisfaction with the season’s trajectory. “I think we can go pretty far this year,” he stated. This is only Parrish’s third year playing volleyball, his second year playing at PA, and he’s now one of the youngest starters on the court this season. Parrish commented on the pressure of maintaining his starting spot: “It feels special; it’s a good opportunity. It’s a little stressful having to go out there and know that they’re all seniors and I don’t want to screw it up for them,” he explained.
Both Parrish and the head coach, Jeff Kinser, spoke about how special PA volleyball is to them. Between the players’ chemistry and their passion for sports in general, their energy is visibly different from other teams. “There’s something about our team that no other team in the beach has,” said Parrish. They praise the team’s family-like atmosphere and constant energy at games and even practices. “It really does feel like a family,” Kinser stated.
Kinser is now in his 21st year of coaching here at PA and says how he loves connecting with the players, on and off the court by staying in touch, even if they’ve graduated. He conveys his pride with the growth and achievements throughout the season, saying, “The team is getting better throughout the season.”
Senior Gabriel Ng, is a six year volleyball veteran and has been on the PA team since his freshman year. Ng describes how despite their fun and playful manner, the boys know when it’s time to put the game faces on and “lock in.”
“There were some games I feel like we could’ve won, but overall, I think we’ve been doing pretty well this season,” he said while recalling the team’s regular season. With regionals just around the corner, Ng comments, “I’m definitely a little nervous but I’m excited to be with my teammates and see how we do.”
With a strong season in the Beach, the boys are ready to take on regionals, hoping to surprise some competitors along the way.
