Boys’ high school volleyball gets ready to take the court in Fairfax County schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — There’s a new game in town at West Potomac High School: boys’ volleyball, the latest addition to all Fairfax County public high schools.

“I put a lot of work in, you know, gathering interest for the rising underclassmen and upperclassmen to field a team for all the schools in the county,” said Rafael Perez, a senior.

He and his teammates are in their first full week of practice.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Jameson Stuart, a freshman, and one of the 24 players on the Wolverines’ roster. “I’m going to be here for the next four years, working with most of these guys, we’ll be here for the next four years.”

Brad Lacey is West Potomac’s head coach. He’s helped lead the effort to get the sport for the last 10 years.

“There’s a push to get kids out away from the computer, away from their phones and doing something active,” Lacey said.

The sport gained traction over the last two years, as the school district needed another activity to meet federal Title IX requirements. Girls’ wrestling will be offered for the first time in the winter.

Volleyball is the fourth sporting event offered to boys around the district in the fall, and the 13th overall throughout the school year.

The sport is only offered at the varsity level this season. The goal is to eventually add junior varsity and freshmen teams.

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