The boys behind the new Belmont High School volleyball program expected a multi-year wait before fielding the school’s first varsity boys volleyball team.
Much to their great pleasure, it took less than a year. Laying the groundwork with a club last year garnered enough interest for a legitimate case for a program this spring, and with the high school administration on board, the Marauders organized the inaugural season that kicked off last month.
“It’s been really exciting,” said sophomore Ian Choi. “I’m speechless because we really got this going.”
Between every point, team members huddle together on the court. Sometimes, all six are at once, and other times, they are in two groups of three. They exchange innumerable high-fives, some strategy talk, and a whole lot of smiles when points go their way.
In its first year as a varsity program in an ever-growing sport across the nation, the inaugural Marauders boys volleyball team embraces the culture-building, course-charting opportunity. Though they lost more than they won through the first half of the season, members of the program see its smooth launch as an overall victory.
“I think success in our first year is determined by, well, we didn’t expect to have a team this early on,” junior Larry Zhang said. “I think a lot of us are great individual players, but we’ve never played together as a team. It’s all about chemistry and developing together.”
Playing Middlesex League foe Wakefield on the first day of May, Belmont topped the visiting Warriors, who played with just a single substitution, 3-1 at Wenner Fieldhouse. The highs and lows of high school volleyball came and went. A fast start and a dominant opening set. Back-to-back frustrating, close-set losses. Another decisive win. And in the decisive fifth set, it never got close. The Marauders improved to 3-4 overall.
The Belmont boys volleyball program began as a club last year, spearheaded by a group of students who played club volleyball and their friends. They secured space in the field house for practices, played in some weekend tournaments, and pushed Athletic Director Adam Pritchard to start the program.
Erol Kavountzis, a biology teacher at the school who previously coached boys volleyball, fencing, and bowling at a school in New York City, serves as head coach. His staff includes longtime Belmont girls volleyball coach Jen Couture as a valuable assistant. The program fields varsity and junior varsity rosters with 23 players in all, not to mention the half-dozen or so student managers, primarily a group of girls volleyball team members. About nine of the team’s players make an impact on varsity. With just two seniors, the program is building for the longer term.
“It’s just thinking about developing, growing, and playing well,” Kavountzis said. “I’m hoping we can tap into more students getting interested and wanting to play.”
Junior Liam Sinclair moved to Belmont this year. He previously attended Hollis Brookline High School in New Hampshire, where he played for its storied boys volleyball program. Sinclair enjoys a wildly different experience with the first-year program.
“To see a brand new team develop and grow this rapidly, it’s been amazing to be part of that,” Sinclair said. “We’ve definitely had growing pains, but it’s insane how far we’ve gotten already.”
Kavountzis said the growth shows in the team’s competitive play against top-tier teams like Lexington and Winchester. The Marauders now move with purpose and in sync. They talk more, too.
“This whole season, to me, is about growth and building on what we have,” Kavountzis said. “There’s more unity as they get to know each other.”
More boys are playing high school volleyball than ever, and the new Belmont program is real-life proof. According to data from the National Federation of High School Sports published by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, nationwide participation in boys volleyball has increased every year since the 2011-12 school year, jumping by more than 56% in that time.
It took little time to make program history, nabbing the first-ever win with a 3-0 sweep at Wakefield in the Marauders’ opening match on April 2. Belmont fell three straight matches before a 3-1 victory at Arlington. The Marauders lost to Winchester, but this was followed by another victory over an undermanned Wakefield team that had just one substitute.
The Marauders play eight more regular season matches. Belmont, which plays in Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division I, will need a top-32 finish in the MIAA Power Rankings or a .500 or better record to qualify for the postseason tournament. The Marauders ranked No. 47 as of April 30.
But more than wins and losses, it’s about community.
“We’re a very welcoming program and a growing program,” Choi said. “Anybody new is extremely welcome.”
