For the first time in Oregon History, the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has added men’s volleyball to the lineup of officially recognized, governed, and regulated sports in Oregon.
Although men’s volleyball at Jesuit is not yet offered as an OSAA sport, there has been a new club team presented to the student body ready to take on their upcoming season with tough matches ahead.
“[I’m] very excited because I’ve been wanting to play volleyball for a really long time,” sophomore Brody Katcher said.
Despite Katcher having no prior volleyball experience, he and others like Liam Galan on the team are eager to have new opportunities to play sports with friends at Jesuit.
“I was really excited because it is a new sport to try out with my friends,” Galan mentioned.
Similar to Katcher, Galan is also a new player who has taken on the position of middle blocker for his team.
Despite lots of new talent on the Jesuit roster, the team also has experienced players on the team who are excited to spread the sport and sharpen their skills.
“[The season is] starting off pretty good. We have a good base of…people who know how to play but we do also have a lot of new players”, Ethan Nguyen mentioned, “I see a lot of potential in [the new players].”
Although the season is still young, men’s volleyball has been in full swing with practices, games, and creating bonds with new teammates and coaches.
“Connecting with my teammates” has been Galan’s favorite part of his season so far.
Similar to Galan, Minh Phi Nguyen said, “[I] like practicing with my friends and having a blast”.
The team had their first jamboree on April 1st and although it was not the showout that they would have hoped for, the team had a good showing for what they can improve for the season.
Minh Phi said, “it was looking a little rough at first…but we can definitely push through and get better.”
The team had a better indicator of how their season would go in their recent game against Mountainside on April 8th.
The men’s team won their game by winning 3 out of 4 sets played. The team worked hard and had a great home opener.
The season has only started recently but the team is already planning for next season.
“I do think that [men’s volleyball] will grow because after seeing this season I think a lot more people are going to want to play,” Katcher said.
Not only do the men think that the team will grow but they also have their sights set big for next year.
“One goal I have for our team is winning the state championship next year,” Minh Phi said.
Crusader men’s volleyball still has a lot more games to go with opportunities to try new things for new players and keep getting better for everyone on the team.
Come support men’s volleyball at any of their upcoming games:
Away game at Franklin High School on 4/17/26
Home game against Putnam High School on 4/22/26
Away game at Cleveland and Wells on 4/24/26
Away game at Sunset High SChool on 4/29/26
