The final sports season of the 2016 school year has begun and our teams are starting out with a bang. This is the fifth year for the men’s volleyball program at St. Dominic and it looks like this season is heading in a great direction.

This is the second year for Maggie Allen as head coach, assisted by new JV coach Abbie O’Mara. With different styles of coaching techniques from both Allen and O’Mara, the team will be able to improve their athletic abilities as the season progresses. Allen is taking huge strides from one season to the next to ensure that this program continues to grow.

The start of the season has been successful with a winning record of 5-3 and a third place finish at the Vianney Invitational. This was a very intense tournament in which the boys battled hard to overcome Webster Groves and Belleville West. Stats skyrocketed for senior setter Sam Keeven with 89 assists and junior outside Tyler Mueller with 26 kills.

Men’s volleyball is sometimes considered to be an easy sport, but this group of athletes has proven that is not the case. They bring an energy and excitement to the court that takes their game to a whole new level when they play. They may not be your stereotypical group of jocks, but the boys excel greatly in this game.

“I started playing competitive volleyball two years ago when I was a junior. I had always wanted to play when I lived in Michigan, but they never offered it for boys. When I moved to Missouri and started at Dominic, I jumped at the opportunity to better my skills. Since just last year, my sense of volleyball and teamwork has improved as well as my knowledge of the game,” says senior libero Jarrod Penrod.

Penrod is hopeful he will play intramural volleyball in college, but he is a perfect example that hard work and dedication pay off. While Penrod is not the only new-coming athlete to the volleyball world, there are possibilities for those who have been playing for years to take part on a college volleyball team.

“I would play around with my mom on her sand volleyball team and I actually really liked it, and I was naturally pretty good. I decided to start playing competitively in eighth grade along with club, which helped me learn and better my game. I have been on varsity since my freshman year and there is a chance I see myself in college but as of now I’m leaning to not playing, ” said junior outside Connor George.

This season looks like it could end with a strong finish as these men continue through the season. They carry the ability to make a run at state this year. If you’ve never gone to one of the volleyball games before, I highly suggest watching our Crusaders. Come out and support your classmates and friends as they progress this season!