Zana Royster
Staff Writer
The Titans boys volleyball team is gearing up for their 2022 season! To get some insight into their upcoming season, I sat down with senior team members Dylan Rex and Usman Mohammed.
Although the team is still technically a high school club, tryouts were held on August 30 to select 13 players and two practice players to join the team. According to the right side, Mohammed, tryouts weren’t as competitive this year, but they did have more people trying out than last year. Two of the students trying out this year attend a local private school Bishop Ireton and were allowed to tryout to become members of the team.
Even though the season just started, outside hitter Rex and Usman have already taken on leadership roles. Earlier this summer, they gathered people interested in the team and invited them to practice on the outdoor nets by the waterfront in Old Town. Usman said, “We’re probably going to be helping lead the team just because a lot of them haven’t played before.” These seniors might also have to take on more responsibility than in previous years because it is coach Steve Hales’s first year coaching.
Although a majority of the players haven’t played volleyball competitively before, most of them have played other sports and want to try something new. A few of the members of the team play basketball, golf, baseball, and rugby.
Despite it being his first year coaching, Hales still has a lot of volleyball experience. His son, Niko, plays volleyball for the ACHS team and has been playing club volleyball for years. Rex said, “He has been immersed in the sport.”
Most of the team’s starters were seniors last year, leaving a few returning members this year. Rex and Mohammed feel like the pressure of continuing the club were placed on them this last season and have worries about who will continue the club next year once they graduate. The team has provided many fond memories on and off the court for the players. Specifically, Rex and Usman reminisced on team carpools to far away tournaments and matches.
The exact schedule for the upcoming season hasn’t been finalized yet, but last year they played roughly 25 teams including West Potomac, Maddison, and South Lakes. The team is hoping to set up a scrimmage between Alexandria City’s girls volleyball team as a season opener. The team encourages you to be on the lookout for information about their season and to come to support their games. Go, Titans!
Photo courtesy of Lola Jeanne
