Despite showing dedication and determination through the years, WHHS men’s volleyball remains an underappreciated sport, often lacking recognition and support. With an impressive record, strong leadership and unmatched team chemistry, the Eagles continue to prove that their efforts should not be overlooked. 

Captain Jacob Gillotti, ‘25, has been a part of the program for years, playing varsity since his freshman year and volleyball since third grade. Gillotti has witnessed firsthand how the team has evolved throughout the years and how it has often been ignored by the larger student body. 

“We [have] never lost the ECC, which is kind [of] insane,” Gillotti said. “We never had recognition of how we play or have people at our game supporting us; it’s kind of hard to say that we’re a Walnut sport because none of Walnut associates with us.” 

Gilloti emphasized that when students do show up, it drives them to perform better because of the noticeable energy that is created within the stands, making the athletes feel more appreciated overall. 

“Having those people cheer us on inspires us to play better and makes us play better,” Gilloti said. “No one wants to play badly in a crowd of your friends or a crowd of parents; it puts a little extra pressure on you, but we as a team need that pressure.”

Emmett Corby, ‘26, the co-captain, echoed the same sentiment. After playing five years with the program, Corby sees the team’s bond and motivation as key factors in their success. 

“We get a good amount of support, and it’s always good to see fans, but we could always get more,” Corby said. “This most recent game, we had a lot of energy going in the gym, and it always helps a lot.” 

That sense of community extends far beyond the court. Volleyball is built on communication and trust, so the Eagles make sure to prioritize bonding. 

“We’ve made it a requirement that every Friday we hang out, or we go see a movie or go get food; it’s a lot of team bonding outside of volleyball too,” Gillotti said.

He further expanded on the topic, detailing that it helped everyone get more comfortable and connected going into the season. 

“We went to Florida, and we all hung out there,” Corby said. “That was a lot of fun and we definitely got closer, and it probably helped our team chemistry a lot.”

During spring break, the team traveled to Florida, a trip Corby described as “a big turning point” in building unity. This bonding becomes especially important during games, where split-second decisions and tight coordination define success. 

“You’ve got to be able to pass well and have control so you can get the ball up and get kills,” Corby said. “Aside from technical skills, communication is huge. The ball is constantly moving, you need to always know what to do to set up the next hit.”

With an 8–3 record so far, the Eagles have only lost to Milford, St. Xavier and Elder — the latter being a four-set thriller against one of Ohio’s top teams. For Gillotti, that match proved what the team was capable of. 

“Going to four sets with an Elder team that beat St. X and Moeller in three [sets] is very accomplishable,” Gillotti said. “We’ve only lost two SENIORS from last year. I believe we can go to state — and win it — with our current roster.”

Leadership has played a huge role in the team’s success. For Gillotti, stepping into the captain role has been a lesson in putting the team before himself. 

“I struggled with that my whole career,” Gillotti said. “Being a captain this year, I’ve realized if your teammates aren’t playing well and you are, that says something about your character. It’s not about being the best individually, it’s about lifting each other up.”

This altruistic nature flows throughout the whole team.

“I’d say that my personal goal is that we all shine this season, that we all are so focused that all the players on our team can shine because we have a lot of talent,” Corby said.

Win by win, WHHS men’s volleyball is proving they belong in the spotlight. Prided by their leadership and determination, they hope to carry into the postseason and make a run for the state championship.

“It’s clear that we’re all extremely motivated,” Corby said.  “We all think we can win state, and so we’re all kind of in the same mindset. We’re really cohesive, because we all know what we can do, and we’re just really focused on getting there.”