After one of the most successful regular seasons in Patriot history, boys’ volleyball fell off a little bit at the close of the season. After a dominant senior night win, the boys fell to Richard Montgomery in the last game of the regular season, with a score of 3-0. 

This was the second loss of the regular season, and the last game before playoffs began. Junior Felipe Lemgruber said, “After the great regular season that we had, ending it with this loss hurt. I think it might have been a huge hit on our confidence going into the playoffs.”

The boys started off the playoffs by facing the Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles. After the disappointing loss to Richard Montgomery, there were some question marks about this game. The boys didn’t let this get to them, and won with an impressive score of 3-1. After the commanding first-round victory, the boys took on the Sherwood Warriors, a respectable opponent for a second-round matchup. This game was a real battle and went back and forth, but the boys were able to edge out the win 3-2 in sets. “This game was one of my favorite games of the season because it was competitive the entire time, two good teams going head-to-head in the playoffs, it doesn’t get much better than that. It was one of the best games I’ve been a part of, and it felt really good to get the win,” junior Jared Su said.

The performances so far in the playoffs had been inspiring, but now it was time for the real test. In the regional semifinal the boys faced off against one of the best teams in the county, and one of two of the only teams to beat the boys in the regular season, Walter Johnson. Both teams are loaded with talent, but Walter Johnson is an older group that has been together for longer, and ultimately this lack of experience for the Patriots is what cost them in this game. The boys weren’t able to grab a set, losing 3-0 to the Wildcats. “This was definitely a disappointing way to end our season, but I’m so proud of everything we have accomplished this season, and it’s only going to get better next year,” sophomore Eli Umar said.

Although it didn’t end the way the boys would’ve liked, there is still so much to look forward to. The boys are a young group, as Daniel Zhou was the only senior on the team. This means that almost all of the lineup that only lost three games all season will be returning next year. This young group will mature and improve in the offseason, with the goal in mind of winning the regional championship next year.