As the 2025-2026 school year is winding down, the action on the court is nonstop. With boy’s volleyball becoming increasingly popular, it has become the fastest growing male dominated sport in high schools across the United States in 2026. At Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, boys volleyball was officially sanctioned by the OHSAA in 2023, officially making it an active sport that competes in Division I.
With final scores from previous years being 5-13, and 0-1, 9-12 and 3-4, the varsity and JV teams have made improvements. As the team has gotten better over the years, so has their rank. Last year, varsity was ranked at number 81 in the state and this year they have gone up to 77.
Even though some of the players had interests in the sport before, they didn’t get the option to play until high school. “I have always loved playing volleyball, but we didn’t have a team in middle school,” says freshman Bentley Carrier.
Since the sport was only added to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) in 2023, the idea of having a middle school team was never really acknowledged.
When it comes to practice vs. games, there’s a massive difference. Junior Noah Heinz says, “Obviously there’s a lot more pressure during a game. Another big difference is that you’re not trying as hard during practice. But during a game, you’re trying the best you can.”
A big impact on someone and their sport is the relationships they build along the way. New friendships and relationships created between 2 or more people because they play the same sport is very common, and many of those friendships stick and can last a lifetime. “I have met and made so many new people and friends,” says Carrier.
When performing on the court during a game, the feelings running through an athlete’s mind and body are something they can only experience in that moment. “There’s a lot of excitement. I feel good, there’s a lot of positive energy from the people who are watching and my team, but there’s also a little bit of desperation going through me too,” says Heinz.
With the ways things are going, the end of the season seems to be a bright one. When asked how the season is going to end, Heinz says, “I feel really good about it, and I’m happy and confident with how the season is currently going.”
The season isn’t over yet, records can still be made and rankings can change. These teams have set standards for the teams in the future, and have forever changed their school’s sport program in some way. While the team can be overlooked, it’s the highlight of the school year for many players and they have made memories that will be forever remembered.
