In the 2022-23 school year, men’s volleyball experienced a nationwide growth of 16.24% in participation, with over 10,000 participants joining among high schools. This statistic marked the largest jump in recorded history, and the sport continues to grow, making men’s volleyball teams a more frequent asset of high schools in the United States. Despite Green Hope’s strong history of multiple competitive sports teams, including a 4-time state champion women’s volleyball team, a men’s volleyball club was only established two years ago. To negate the absence of a team in recent school years, the Falcons’ Student Council established the annual tradition, Volleybros.
Volleybros was created by the student council as an annual event, aimed at increasing participation in a traditionally female high school sport and boosting school spirit. It is held in April, providing students a break before exams and an experience to compete with and against friends. The GH Falcon spoke to the sophomore class representative before the event, Harshni Sridharan, who facilitated the planning and execution of Volleybros.
Despite guidance from her peers, Sridharan was given the presidential position that allowed her to bring the event to life. She was able to utilize resources within the student council to plan it efficiently. “In Student Council, we have members who have played volleyball before, so we used them for creating the brackets and [helping with the] the logistics of everything,” she shared. Within this planning, the council decided to utilize a double-elimination practice that would increase opportunities. “It’s not like [athletes] play it once and don’t get to like playing again [if they lose]. It gives them more of a chance to play and have fun,” Sridharan explained.
For the 2024-25 school year, Volleybros took place on April 17 from 6-8 pm. Students were allowed to register in teams with a maximum of 6 players, mixing both female and (primarily) male athletes, as their opportunity to play volleyball for the school is limited. “Participation is allowed for all grades. We do want [mostly] guys playing just to [foster] school spirit,” Sridharan shared. An estimated 12 teams registered this year, with the winners earning exclusive Green Hope merch. Athletes played in 10-minute rounds, winning if they earned more points than their opponent during that time.
Alongside Sridharan, the GH Falcon also met with one of the event’s competitors, Samuel Combs. Combs competed in Volleybros last year and decided to return his junior year after a positive initial experience the first time around. Despite his only prior experience coming from playing in gym class, Combs decided to sign up for Volleybros again after his friends proposed the idea.
Competing for two years has allowed him to experience the many positive assets of volleyball, a game that isn’t offered as an official men’s sport at Green Hope. “My favorite part of being involved is just the atmosphere and being with my friends. It’s a great atmosphere and it’s fun,” he shared. Given the lack of experience most players come in with, the laid-back, low-stress atmosphere is crucial for many athletes. “There’s no expectations coming into it. There’s no heavy-handed banter. Obviously, there is gonna be some smack-talking, but it’s all fun.”
Comb’s positive experience outlook on the event was reinforced this year with a relatively successful outcome for him and his team. “I’m going to do it again next year, just because it’s fun. It’s a fun night out and something to do, so I enjoy it,” he shared.
His experience with Volleybros over the past two years is the desired outcome the program intends to create. From being an outlet for school spirit to increasing athletic opportunity, Volleybros has and will continue to be one of the most anticipated and successful Green Hope events.
