BSM boys’ volleyball is entering another year of competition after its revamp in the 2022 season. With their first game coming up on April 18th, players and fans are getting excited to see the program thrive this spring. Last season’s experience will hopefully bring out success for the team this year.

The boys have been hard at work in the Great Hall over the past few weeks getting back into the swing of things. There’s a lot of preparing to do going into the season. Game rules, reffing, and the actual volleyball skills are all included in the practices. Senior Moti Jote, who is in his second year of playing boys volleyball at BSM, has high hopes for the upcoming season. “Everyone is ready for the games to come in the next couple weeks. We have some very competitive players on our team that are ready to show the teams we played last year that this is a different team,” Jote said.

Head Coach and BSM theology teacher Michael Becker is just as excited as his players are for the 2023 season. “We’ve made awesome strides with our skill this year compared to last year. Overall ball control, minimizing our errors, and understanding of the game have been the biggest improvements,” Becker said.

It’s important for sports teams to have good chemistry, and the BSM boys’ volleyball team always has a good time together. Whether it’s an after-school practice, reffing training, or a pre-game dinner, the guys enjoy spending the season together. “Our team atmosphere is so welcoming and so fun. We have players from all walks of life, many of whom have a different primary sport, some who have never played a sport before, we have seniors and an 8th grader. They come to practice and have fun with what they’re doing,” Becker said.

Unfortunately, boys’ volleyball remains an unsanctioned sport in the MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League). If approved, the earliest boys volleyball could become an interscholastic sport is the beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. “In December 2022, the Board approved Boys’ Volleyball for Emerging Status. Boys’ Volleyball is currently operating under the direction of the Minnesota Boys’ Volleyball Association with approximately 70 teams registered for the 2022-2023 school year,” according to the MSHSL.

Despite boys’ volleyball not being a sanctioned sport in Minnesota, the team is able to still find the motivation to play together. They are all looking forward to competing this year and progressing the program. “I’m excited for the pre-game dinners with the team, and big games such as Edina, DeLasalle, or Washburn. Also seeing the in-game improvements the boys have been working on be put into action,” Jote said.

If you’re looking for the next opportunity to pack the Haben, Tuesday, April 18th at 6:00 PM is your chance! Watch the Red Knights take on the DeLasalle Islanders in their season opener as year two of BSM boys volleyball begins.