Boys’ volleyball takes a tough dive with back-to-back losses to lower their record to 6-3.

The team was matched up against rival Walter Johnson on Apr. 2. Walter Johnson knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs last year in the state semifinals, so the Patriots came in looking for vengeance. The team started off aggressive but was matched by the defense of WJ who took the first set with ease. The second set was similar to the first and WJ was able to go up 2-0. The third set was different: the Patriots played smart and aggressive and it paid off. The Patriots won the third set, making the score 2-1 with WJ having the lead. Heading into the fourth set the Patriots were running out of gas. WJ was able to keep their foot on the pedal and win the final set, beating the Patriots 3-1.

The team was not happy with their play and knew they had to make up for this. They headed to their next match the following week against Richard Montgomery with a different attitude. They played smarter this game, eliminating their mistakes such as missed shots. The Patriots came out hot and won the first set with ease. The second was challenging for them. They made careless errors, which RM was able to capitalize on. RM took the second set making the score 1-1. The Patriots turned it up in the third and fourth set and cruised to an easy 3-1 victory.

Coming off an impressive win the team had to face BCC in their next match. The Patriots were confident coming in because they knew they were better than the Barons. The Patriots came out to a blazing hot start and easily took the first two sets. BCC was able to push back a little bit in the third set, but it was still no match for the Patriots, who cruised to an easy 3-0 victory.

Next the Patriots were matched up against rival Churchill. Churchill was the hardest team the Patriots knew they had to face this season. Churchill was dominate the whole game, never letting the Patriots get back into it. Churchill was able to take first two sets with ease. The Patriots were able to make the third set close, but Churchill still finished it out strong, beating the Patriots 3-0.

Following the tough loss, the team was matched up against Northwood on Apr.13. The team started off rough, dropping the first set. The second set was close till the end, but Northwood was able to win it. Northwood was up 2-0 heading into the third set. The Patriots were gassed and couldn’t get enough energy to fight back. Northwood was able to take the third set and win 3-0.

The team is led by senior captain Liam Hall who recently committed to Harvard. Hall has been a huge part of the team on and off the court. On the court, he is aggressive and communicates well with his teammates, paired along with the skill that he has. Off the court, he is a vocal point in the lockeroom and sets examples for the rest of the team.

The next match for the Patriots was yesterday against Einstein at home.