Brooklyn Center boys volleyball kicked off its 2024 spring season last week with a 3-1 home loss to Osseo April 16 as both teams looked ahead to boys volleyball’s MSHSL emerging sport season ahead of full integration next school year.
The meeting between the Centaurs and Orioles was Brooklyn Center’s first game of the season. Osseo, however, entered with two games already played, both 3-0 losses to Burnsville and Edina April 9 and 11.
After a tough start to set one, Brooklyn Center found their feet and made the start of the night an exciting one for the sizable combined crowd of fans. Jinli Vue, Nun Santamaria Hong, and David Thao were all early stars for the Centaurs, busy blocking at the net amid Osseo’s strong start.
When Brooklyn Center did have the ball in set one, Hong, Kaemon Xiong, and libero Chris Yang provided strong serves, while Jack Yang did well as the team’s designated setter. Set one took its time to end, with both teams looking close before the Orioles eventually won 28-26.
Osseo managed a more confident start to set two and found rhythm to create a five-plus point lead through much of the set. Osseo eventually took set two 25-20 to lead 2-0.
Brooklyn Center faced an ultimatum in set three, with only a win promising a chance at continuing the game. Hong, Jordan Thor, Chris Yang, and Vue all starred as the Centaurs faced the pressure with optimism, taking an early lead and defending it deep into the set. Osseo roared back late to keep it close, but Brooklyn Center, stabilized in part by the return of Kaemon Xing to the court, managed to win the set 25-23 with inspired serves from Chris Yang to cap it all off.
Seeing their lead in genuine danger, Osseo forged their own strong response to pressure, earning their most confident set win of the night with a 25-19 triumph over Brooklyn Center to win the night 3-1.
Washington Tech
Brooklyn Center played one additional game last week, traveling April 17 to Washington Tech, where the Saint Paul-area school’s experienced program earned a 3-0 win in their home opener.
Brooklyn Center head coach Michael Vang told the Sun Post that the team, which is brand-new this season and Vang’s first experience as a head coach, is looking to grow in many ways over the spring.
“Everything is a new experience. As a head coach my mission in my opinion is to help the students-athletes become better than myself in all things whether that be volleyball, academics, life skills, and so on,” Vang explained. “Whatever it may be, if I can help them surpass me then maybe I’d be able to say I’ve assisted someone in their life. A lot of these players are new to the game and are still young. I don’t expect exponential growth in such a short amount of time, but if we can keep growing then maybe we can achieve this goal of ours.”
The Centaurs will play one game the following week, returning home to host Centennial Tuesday, April 23.
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