As the fall sports season comes to a close, the Princess Anne Boys Varsity Volleyball Team looks to end its season.
This year’s captains, seniors Garrett VanHouten and Brandon Savoy along with junior Grant Parrish have been crucial in the team’s growth over the course of the season.
As of Nov. 21, the team has a record of 14-11, to end their season, having advanced to the second round of the regional tournament after winning against Ocean Lakes High School in the first round, however they fell to Kellam High School 3-0 in the second round.
Having lost eight seniors since last season, the team’s leaders have proved themselves throughout the season, with all three captains demonstrating leadership on and off the court.
VanHouten, a senior whose skills have developed greatly since last year, has especially grown. Co-captain Parrish shared of VanHouten, “He’s the most vocal on the team. He’s been a leader, and he stepped up in places we definitely needed.”
VanHouten had played club volleyball for Ocean Volleyball Club, but he has since stopped playing to dedicate more time to his academics and extracurriculars. He is involved in the Leadership Workshop at PA and is an Eagle Scout, as well.
Parrish, a leader in his own right, has contributed significantly on the court. A powerful setter, Parrish sets VanHouten up for kills, but also contributes by serving the ball to start a rally during matches.
Parrish has dreamed of making the state tournament since his freshman year, and with some of this season’s young talent, he is confident that the team can do it for his final season next year.
Savoy has succeeded as a libero, a defensive position, throughout the season, passing the ball off the serve to Parrish for the set. As a senior preparing for the transition to college, Savoy plans to attend Virginia Tech or William & Mary next year and study either mechanical or chemical engineering.
All three captains find inspiration from outside sources. Parrish credits his older brother, Landon, for inspiring him to play volleyball as a whole. His favorite teacher, Angela Cosimano, also provides support, as she is someone he finds easy to talk to and who cares about him outside of school.
Savoy’s inspiration in life is his mom. “I don’t think she’s ever stopped fighting… she’s never backed down from any challenge she’s come to.”
As for VanHouten, he finds that fictional characters, specifically Spiderman, set an example for him, “I know he’s a fictional character and all, but the responsibility really kind of sat with me as an older sibling and as someone who has a lot of responsibilities in high school.”
