The energy in the Doherty gym was electric on Tuesday afternoon as the Boys Volleyball teams opened their home season against the Burncoat Patriots — and Highlander pride was on full display. Both JV and Varsity squads swept their opponents, igniting the crowd and kicking off their home schedule with statement wins.

The action began with the JV match, coached by Ms. Coonan and assisted by members of the girls volleyball team. The support on and off the court proved to be a winning formula, as the Highlanders cruised to a 2-0 victory, showing strong teamwork, communication, and hustle from start to finish.

When the Varsity teams took the court, the gym only got louder. The Burncoat Patriots were first to strike, with their #8 player earning the game’s opening point. But Doherty quickly bounced back — and never looked back. Backed by a roaring crowd of energetic fans, the Highlanders took control, winning in straight sets: 25-16, 25-22, 25-19.

Leading the charge for Varsity was Cam Kelly, who tallied 9 kills and 7 digs, setting the tone for a dominant offensive performance. Bernardo Dos Santos showcased his versatility with an ace, a kill, and a whopping 15 digs, while Ben Dobson stuffed the stat sheet with 4 aces, 6 kills, 10 blocks, and 2 digs.

Setter Den Lezi orchestrated the offense smoothly with 10 assists, a kill, a block, and 6 digs, and Anthony Nguyen added 10 assists of his own along with 2 digs, ensuring a strong back-row presence.

With the win, the Varsity team improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the Inter-High league, solidifying their place as a top contender this season. Burncoat, meanwhile, dropped to 1-2.

The Highlanders won’t have much time to rest — they face Claremont Academy at University Park, then hit the court again versus South High, followed by a big home game against North High on Wednesday, April 9th.

If this week’s performance is any indication, the Highlanders are ready to serve up a dominant season.

Go Highlanders!

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Jayden Matias: Player 22