“Everything is an upward trajectory,” Devil boys show promise in opener

PHOTO: Senior captain Ethan Wells celebrates after a kill during a Feb. 20 scrimmage against Folsom. Photo Credit: Saadya Mahmoud

By Sean Campbell

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Coming off of an impressive 20-7 (10-2) campaign last season, culminating in a Sac-Joaquin section semifinal loss to Jesuit, in straight sets, the Davis High mens varsity volleyball team is looking for more.

“We only have one number up on our banner, and its from 1996, so I’d like to get a couple more up on there,” DHS senior captain Ethan Wells said.

One of the Devils strengths is their level of experience.

“A lot of the guys have played years with club teams,” DHS head coach Rachel Hinojosa said. “They are very high IQ volleyball players.”

But with that comes an overlooked challenge as many players play different positions for DHS than they do for their club team.

“It has been a bit of an adjustment period for a lot of those guys having to learn a whole new spot,” Hinojosa said.

Wells, who led last year’s team in kills per set with 4.2, has had to alter his playing style.

“I used to be only a middle where I only attacked,” Wells said. “Now I play a lot of front row where I have to pass and play defense more. It’s like a whole different ball game that it will take me awhile to adjust to.”

A limited preseason, with only two practices between tryouts and the first scrimmage that took place on Feb. 20, has made the transition even more difficult.

“It has been a little rushed,” Hinojosa said. “Despite that, we are starting at a higher level than we did last year, which is always the goal.”

The scrimmage, against Folsom in The Cage, was played in four 20-minute periods, rather than a typical best-of-5-set format. Despite falling short, 108-99, the Blue Devils took more than the loss away from their first contest of the season.

“Folsom is a good team and they definitely pushed us tonight, but now we know what we need to work on,” Wells said.

The problem, is a consensus.

“We sometimes struggle with communication and getting people to break out of their shells,” Wells said. “It’s definitely something we are focusing on.”

“We are a very quiet team,” Hinojosa said. “I have been trying to work on keeping the level of excitement high throughout the game, no matter what is going on, so we can keep the momentum on our side more often.”

But the teams strength is also apparent.

“Our team chemistry is great, we are all having fun and not getting down on each other,” Wells said. “It allows us to really come together as a team.”

Looking towards the rest of the season, league and section championships are on the Devils minds, but more present is Jesuit. The Marauders handed DHS both of their league losses as well as sending them out of the Sac-Joaquin playoffs last season.

The Devils want revenge.

“I don’t know the last time Davis has beaten Jesuit in men’s volleyball, but I know it has been a very long time,” Hinojosa said. “Last year we took a set from them and so this year I am looking to take two games.”

But in the short term, Hinojosa is looking to take things one step at a time.

“I am always looking to see upward trajectory in everything we do, skill wise, with energy, attitude, leadership and anything else,” Hinojosa said. 

Next up for the Devils, on Friday, Feb. 23, is a trip to Rio Americano for a non-league contest beginning at 6 p.m.