After an exceptional season in the 2022-2023 school year, the Royals Boy’s Volleyball team lost nine seniors. Each of these nine seniors played a crucial role in last year’s team, so the question is, how will the program continue to compete this year? The program will stay in CIF’s Division 4 after a heartbreaking loss in the quarter-finals from the previous year. However, all the players in the current program are up to the challenge. They are determined to make a deep push into the playoffs this year and don’t intend to give up the eight-year Golden League Title streak. 

Here’s a recap from last year’s season. The Royals were undefeated in the Golden League and won the League Championship for the eighth year in a row. They also competed in several highly competitive tournaments outside of the valley. For example, in the Las Vegas Invitational, they placed fourth out of 20+ other schools. Additionally, the boys took on multiple Division 1 teams during the tournament, proving that the high desert could compete with them. Heading into the CIF Division 4 Playoffs, they were as threatening as ever. They rolled through the first two rounds without breaking a sweat and were in the zone. Advancing into the quarter-finals, the Royals were matched up against the Foothill League’s powerhouse, Hart High School. This game indicated the saddening end to the boys’ season, but nonetheless, it was a very hard-fought game. 

Going into this year’s season, many would call it a rebuilding year. However, the players and coaches may say otherwise. “As a coach, I am preparing myself by starting to piece together our team. We lost nine seniors last year, so much work has gone into making personnel adjustments. We have a great core coming back, so the goal is to fill in the gaps with our up-and-coming talent,” Coach Ryan Dunham stated. Half of the starters from last year were juniors and sophomores, so there is still a considerable number of varsity-experienced players. Three of whom have been starting on Varsity since Sophomore year. This season’s schedule is the most challenging set of games the players have ever laid their eyes on. “The goal is to play the best teams to prepare us for playoffs. We have continuously scheduled more difficult, and our program has benefited tremendously from it,” Dunham expressed. 

With Winter Sports ending, the boys’ volleyball season is just around the corner. Stop by and show your support as the Royals prove they can still compete with powerhouse teams. These games are something you would want to take advantage of! Go Royals!