The Olentangy Liberty Boys Volleyball season is just around the corner, with the first game being away next Tuesday, March 17 against St. Charles. Other upcoming games will be at home against Licking Heights, at home versus the Jackson Polar Bears, at Olentangy Berlin, and at home versus the St. Xavier Bombers. Last season, the boys volleyball team had a record of 13-11, and went to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Gahanna Lincoln Lions, 3-2. Two seasons ago, Liberty made it all the way to the state final four, where they lost to St. Xavier (Cincinnati), and three seasons ago they made it to the state championship match, where they lost to Archbishop Moeller High School (Cincinnati). The two star players on this year’s team are seniors Max Harris and Zach Jackman. Other notable players include Brayden Sleeper, Eli Schumm, and Will Larkin. Another very important matchup is going to be at home against St. Xavier on March 21. 

The boys volleyball team is not only together during practices and games, but they also hang out with each other during other times outside of school. “About half of the team and I all play volleyball club together outside of school season,” sophomore Cameron Caldwell said. “We just all finished up with club, me, Rohil, Sreekar, Brayden Sleeper, and Max Kaufman all play at Mintonette (in the Polaris area) together so we all see each other out at our tournaments during club season. Besides volleyball, after every home game or scrimmage it is a tradition to go and get food as a team together after.” Caldwell has been playing volleyball since he was in eighth grade, where he did one season of school volleyball just for fun. He played volleyball again last year and has just kept playing it since. 

“Practices are always fun with coach Hale,” Caldwell said. “We do a lot of drills that get us better, and to have fun while doing so.  Being with all the boys is fun too and we always manage to keep each other’s spirits and energy up.”