Spotlight on LBHS Boys JV Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport of dedication, communication, and leadership. Many sports teach life lessons, but volleyball is one which focuses on reaching out of your comfort zone, connecting with new people, and making new friends.

 

JV Boys Volleyball is guided by the warm, and welcoming Coach Brian Morgan. 

 

“I just wanted to be able to help out with Long Beach athletics as a former athlete myself. Then, I was able to land this fantastic opportunity with the volleyball team,” says Coach Morgan.

 

Coach Morgan is very respected among his team. “He was a good coach. I can tell he has a really big passion for volleyball,” says Aryan Mohamed, Outside and Ninth Grader. 

 

“I think volleyball’s a fantastic sport. It's a great team-building activity, it helps athletes become a part of a team, helps them focus on their own game as well. It's just a great sport for everybody to come together and get better throughout the season,” says Coach Morgan. Mastering a sport, an art, or a hobby isn’t about being the best. It’s about becoming something different than what you started as. JV Boys Volleyball expresses this theme throughout their season.

 

Getting better as the season continues is a perk that comes along with joining volleyball. Some others include the friends you make along the way, a new love, a new commitment, and new bonds. Freshmen especially, can get the experience of making new friends through sports!

 

“It's their first season as a highschool student. It's a great way to meet more friends, some students they may have not met in the past, of different grades. This is being part of an organization that might not be part of a club, or something different, so, it's a chance for students to get involved and be a part of something really really awesome,” says Coach Morgan. 

 

Being a part of something bigger than yourself and a job of pure dedication and commitment, both come with the territory of being a bulldog. 

 

Along with this message, Jackson Schuh, Ninth Grader and Outsider explains what kind of process you’d expect getting into volleyball. “If it's your first year of volleyball, then you should start with the basics, and then work your way up to tougher drills and scrimmages.”

 

Volleyball is demanding, and a lot of time it requires more work and drive. So what is it that drives the team to continue playing? “I've always just liked it a lot. It's always been fun,” says Tenth Grade, Right Side, Brady Borawski. Most times, it’s the want for excitement and fun which pushes teens to work as hard as they do. “I always went to the varsity games and it kind of inspired me to play,” adds Jackson Schuh. 

 

With as much time they put into getting better everyday, you’d have to wonder just how they manage to balance their priorities. “It's not really that bad. It's just you have to do your work in school, and your homework outside of school, and you have to practice a lot outside of school,” explains Cameron Straub, Tenth Grader and Setter of the Volleyball team!

 

Volleyball takes time, and commitment. It takes days of relentless practice, so having a good balance of school work and sports is a skill needed to stay on top of highschool. 

 

“It's fun when you get the hang of it. So, just keep on trying, says Brady.

 

Ultimately, this team is full of heart, courage, and strength. As a reporter, it was a pleasure talking to and interviewing the team. They were honest, kind, and extremely excited to be a part of something for their school. As a student, it was fun hanging out with some of the team, joking and watching them achieve great things.

 

 “This year's team is special. They work really really hard. They come together, they are accountable, they look out for each other, and they have a lot of fun out there. They've gotten off to a great start so far, they are 12:3 so far, with three games left. I’m just really proud of how they battled. They overcame diversity as a team, and how they are just looking forward to getting out there, and getting better every single day,” says Coach Morgan.

 

If you want to take part in something greater than yourself, if you want to feel this same kind of connection with your peers, make sure to check out Volleyball next season.