Boys' Volleyball First Season

The boys’ varsity volleyball team will be taking a historic step this season, as the group of fourteen student-athletes will be the first ever boys’ volleyball team in Exeter’s athletic history. The roster consists of seniors Kevin Flynn, Ryan Heavirland, Alec Hernandez and Marc Steele, uppers Samuel Pascual, Andrew Poggione and Quincy Tichenor, lowers Max Kirsch, Tim Wu, Kyle Xia and Cesar Zamudio, and preps Kelvin Green, Mitchell Kirsch and Graham Rutledge. Bruce Shang will be coaching the team, assisted by Susie Griffifth.Formostoftheplayersontheteam,this will be their first experience playing volleyball. Wu, Hernandez and Rutledge are the only mem- bers of the squad who have played before. While the other teams Big Red will face have the same dilemma, it is still a tough challenge to overcome for the team. “The biggest obstacle is improving everyday,” said Max Kirsch. “I think, as in mostthings, the only way to overcome obstacles is to work hard, but also enjoy that hard work.”Despite the lack of experience, the team has still looked pretty good, according to Max Kirsch. Wu and Hernandez have stood out among their teammates, but there are others who have already begun to flash potential. Poggione hasbeenimpressive,whileTichenorandRutledge have “smoked the ball.” Chemistry continues to form as smiles and sweat are shared on the court.In terms of leadership, the team will naturallylooktoWuandHernandez.MaxKirsch doesn’tseethistandemastheonlyleadersthough. “I feel like we all lead together,” Kirsch said.With this being the first year of the league that Exeter is in, there are only four other prep school volleyball teams: Choate Rosemary Hall, Northfield Mount Hermon, Williston Northampton and Phillips Academy. Big Red’s first competition will be a doubleheader on April 19, 2014 at Andover.