If you look closely at the sidelines during a varsity men’s volleyball match, you may notice something unusual about the coaching staff– a small glint of silver and gold around their necks. Sophomore Jonathan Yee explains, “We aren’t allowed to wear chains during games, so we make our coaches wear them.”

It’s a funny image—coaches pacing on the sidelines, decked out in their players’ jewelry—but it speaks to a deeper truth about this year’s team. The players shed their chains, and through it, their distractions, leaving the coaches to carry their flair. This allows the players to focus on the relentless, gritty work that is required on the court. It’s a visual representation of a culture where the coaches carry the burden, leaving the players to drive the engine that powers Mitty’s impressive team.

Volleyball is a unique sport. Because the rules forbid a player from hitting the ball twice in a row, you literally cannot play it alone. This necessitates a team dependency and reliance that other major sports like basketball and soccer don’t have. In those games, a single player can often dominate the field through individual talent. In volleyball, you are uniquely forced to trust your teammates to even complete a play.  

While many varsity sports are defined by the pressure to perform, Mitty’s team is defined by a “no-blame” philosophy. “I always know that my teammates have my back,” freshman Rhithav Murugesan says. “Whatever happens, they’ll never blame a loss totally on me.” That safety net is what allows a freshman to step up onto the varsity court, able to play with the confidence of a senior.  

On some teams, when a rally breaks down, the instinct is to look for a culprit. In the Mitty huddle, however, the instinct is to “better the ball.” Rhithav notes that the team’s goal is always to make the next player’s job easier, a philosophy that turns a collection of six individuals on a court into a single, coordinated unit. As well, the team heavily relies on adrenaline and excitement in the huddle to retain confidence. Jonathan echoes this, describing the team’s identity in three words: “cohesive, relentless, and resilient.”

That resilience is tested most when the Monarchs face off against their biggest rivals: Bellarmine and St. Francis. As men’s volleyball is still growing in popularity, there aren’t many club teams available to choose from. Since many of Mitty’s athletes play for these elite club teams with their opponents during the offseason, the net doesn’t just divide two schools—it often divides teammates. “We have lost to Bellarmine multiple times, but we are also friends with the people on their team,” Rhithav explains. This creates a unique atmosphere fueled not by typical rival animosity, but an eagerness to outplay friends who know your game just as well as you do. 

To casual spectators, volleyball is a game of hard swings and decisive blocks. The loud, violent collisions at the net make for great highlight reels. But the players know better. “What outsiders don’t notice is the passing,” Jonathan says. “Most people highlight the swing, but the passing is what leads to the points.” So, while the fans cheer the loudest for striking kills, the audience often doesn’t realize that the unnoticed work in the back row is what truly defines Mitty’s imposing offense.  

With state title aspirations, the Mitty men’s volleyball team eyes success beyond the trophy case. The season will eventually end. The chains will be returned to the players, and the jerseys will be turned in. But the culture of the team will remain. “The ultimate goal,” Rhithav says, “is to make as many memories as we can, without having any regrets.” For this group, a successful season isn’t just measured by the final score. It is measured by the fact that they never had to carry the burden alone.