With the kickoff of the spring sports season at Wakefield, the men’s volleyball team is setting itself up for a long-lived legacy. Regardless of having just been established last year, the boys have been finding their footing among other teams in the league, with this year’s record being 3-7. 

Unlike other sports at Wakefield, however, this team is not officially sanctioned by the state. This affects many aspects of the sport, mainly the team’s funding and event scheduling. Jameil Floyd, administrator and head coach, speaks on the difficulties of preparing the men’s volleyball team for success with the limited resources they have as a club sport.

“As of right now, we are functioning off of [my] pockets and some grant money from the state,” Floyd said. “[Additionally], we practice late, [as] we still have to work around the athletic schedule [because] we’re not sanctioned.”

Despite these inconveniences, the team is working towards being officially sanctioned next school year. Similar to other sports at Wakefield, notably the women’s flag football team, men’s volleyball is enduring a long process to be recognized by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). In order to complete this process, there are a number of conditions that need to be fulfilled. First, participation in the sport must reach the threshold: either 25 percent of member schools must participate, or 50 percent of schools within a specific classification must sponsor the sport. Second, the sport is required to be maintained for at least two years. Lastly, the NCHSAA Board of Directors must vote to officially recognize the sport, which will be held in May.

Aside from these challenges, however, the boys have been making serious progress on the court, contributing a level of skillfulness and enthusiasm unheard of for a team of their experience level. Each member has proved to be a valuable asset, and Floyd’s confidence soars with every successful serve and spike made.

“We’ve gotten some comments from other coaches and referees, and people who have watched us play this season,” Floyd said. “They’re just extremely shocked that this is [only] our second year of having a team. We’re competing [against] teams that have been going for about four or five years.”

What makes the sport so great is the people who play it. Just as they put in their sweat and effort into the sport, volleyball has proven to replenish their life tenfold. Many players find that the sport has influenced their lives for the better. Freshman Shadi Kamel shares his experiences with the team and their impact on his life so far.

“We have a good mentality,” Kamel said. “And we actually support each other. I’m friends with [many] people on the volleyball team.” 

Aside from building sportsmanship and camaraderie, the sport also encourages athletes to find purpose in every aspect of their lives. This can take many forms, such as changes to lifestyle and mentality. Junior Jayden Nguyen shares his experiences with the team as someone with no prior volleyball experience.

“[Volleyball] helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life,” Nguyen said. “[Before I started playing] I mainly stuck around the house doing school work or playing games. But when my friend introduced me to volleyball, it really felt like I found my sense of purpose in life.”

Volleyball is an inclusive sport that appeals to many different people. Whether it be seasoned athletes or newbies, the team accommodates a variety of skill levels. Sophomore Colin Mumford is hopeful that curious would-be athletes consider trying out for the team.

“[Anyone] who wants to have fun,” Mumford said. “People who want to get out and do something not terribly difficult, and want to make friends.”