On May 9th, boys volleyball marked three years as an officially sanctioned MSHSL varsity sport. As of last season, Orono has been a part of a combined team with Delano and Mound Westonka, under Westonka’s name. Understanding the sport’s rapid growth — and Orono’s future within it — starts with recognizing the community that has formed around the team.

Although boys volleyball has become a wildly popular sport nationwide—with high numbers in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and more — stigma still finds a way to restrict the number of participants. It has been an uncommon sport for boys for so long—until only a few years ago. So often, those who want to try it are too afraid to stray from social norms and actually

Even so, club seasons are expanding quickly, and high school boys’ volleyball is on track to become increasingly competitive.

“It’s really not an easy sport to play, especially at their level. […] I don’t understand how in the world you could possibly get a hold of hits like that; it’s unreal,” math teacher Jesse Allex said.

Allex is well-known for his attendance at nearly every sport Orono offers. He watched the Westonka Boys Volleyball team play during their first home game against Eagan, a team ranked in the top ten for Class AAAA.

As the sport grows, viewership and excitement will depend less on the team’s skill — which is improving rapidly — and more on how well‑known the program becomes within Orono High School. The talent is there; the audience isn’t always.

“Unfortunately, it’s likely that half the students don’t even realize we have a team. Everyone thinks it’s a girls’ sport because it’s been a girls’ sport for forever, but I think if they go watch it, though, it would probably change their attitude. It was fun to watch,” Allex said.

Because the team is under Westonka’s name, that also means they are following Westonka’s funding model. Mound Westonka provides funding to new teams every five years. That means essentials like buses, food, and equipment rely heavily on community support. In contrast, Orono Girls Volleyball is fully funded by the school.

“Now other schools have become sanctioned and have full funding from the school, so they really were able to transition over and have everything funded and become a sanctioned sport fully; as to where Mound just has a different way of doing things,” head coach of the boys volleyball team Megan Brown said.

Brown has been with this team from the very beginning — ever since the team was just a club under the name Heat — and is hoping to give her own son opportunities within this sport as she continues to raise him.

Despite the lack of community support and financial odds against the team, they’ve still managed to produce well-rounded team chemistry, which has positively impacted the season for younger players, especially those still in middle school.

“We all get along well, and everyone’s nice and supportive. This year I feel more connected to people because I played with them last year,” eighth-grade varsity player Kellen Gleason said.

Although not in high school yet, Gleason still feels the bonds between team members on and off the court.

Due to the sport still being relatively new, there is a common understanding amongst players and coaches of a period of growth to be had. While some seniors are wrapping up their volleyball careers, eighth graders, like Kellen Gleason, are just starting. But due to the freshness of the team, anyone, from any grade, has a chance to grow with this program.

“I know as you get older, it’s harder to try a new sport because it seems like you’re behind. But my biggest thing is, there are so many new players in the boys program, because it is so new, that I just encourage them to come out to open gyms. Come give it a try and see that they’re really able to have a lot of growth and learn with us,” Brown said.

The community around this team, inclusive of Orono High School, has already grown rapidly in the short period of time it’s been allotted. With people from all age ranges being involved with and entertained by this sport, there are constantly doors being opened for the team and the sport as a whole.

Manager Baylor Gleason summed it up best: “I want [the sport] to grow more; more people should play volleyball. If you’re considering trying out, just do it. It’s so much fun. Volleyball is a great sport!”