This year Arroyo High School has added many new sports. One of those sports being boys volleyball. This year marks the first time Arroyo High School has introduced a boys volleyball team, making it a historic moment for the school’s athletics program.The season started in the beginning of January and the team is continuing to work hard throughout the spring season. Arroyo is the last school in the EMUHSD to add boys volleyball, The boy volleyball knights are not here to mess around. They continue to have practice every weekday to grow their teamwork and skills together.
As tryouts began, many students were so interested in the sport that there had to be two separate tryouts for the winter sports to join in. More than 40 students tried out for the team when the program was first announced, showing strong interest in bringing boys volleyball to Arroyo High.
Their first game of the season was against the Baldwin Park Braves. The Knights brought home the win with a score of 3-2.
The team has 24 athletes and is coached by Varsity coach Katy Melvey and the JV coach Arthur Sandoval. Although Melvey has coached the girls volleyball team for many seasons, this is Sandoval’s first time being in this position. He states “This is my first time being a jv volleyball coach. The only time I ever played it was for fun during PE class. Thank you Ms.Lopez for all the training!
As the first boys volleyball team at Arroyo, the athletes have built a strong sense of teamwork and friendship. Senior athlete,Randy Zavaleta Zuniga states “ My favorite thing about this team is the brotherhood. We are all able to mess around with each other but when we need to take things seriously we do.”
Assistant coach Mr. Sandoval shared his excitement about helping start the program and working with the team. “Mrs. Melvey said she needed someone with ambition and integrity, so I told her I was the man for the job. It’s amazing being able to coach this new sport. The kids are great—I love cheering them on and helping them improve.
The players understand that being part of the first boys volleyball team at Arroyo comes with both excitement and responsibility. Many of them know they are helping create the beginning of a new program at the school. “It means a lot to me knowing that being on the team will leave an impact on the future of the volleyball team. It feels like a huge responsibility,” states Ethan Kwok (10). Kwok understands that their hard work now could shape the future of the program and inspire more students to join.
Being on the team also gives players a sense of pride and accomplishment. “It feels really good to be on the first boys volleyball team because in a way it’s like a legacy I will have here at Arroyo if we continue to have it,” Alejandro Mardueno (10) said. The team hopes their efforts this season will help grow the program and create opportunities for future players.
With all their hard work and determination, Is beginning a legacy and are currently making history for the Arroyo Knights.
