In a heartbreaking loss, Clover Hill’s Boys Volleyball team was knocked out of the Regional Tournament by Douglas Freeman on Nov. 2nd. A nail biter the entire time, the Cavaliers held on until the very end, losing 3-1. 

After this game, the Boy’s Volleyball team has finished with an unprecedented 10-11 (wins-loss) season. It was the best season in several years. Last year, the team ended with a meager 7-14 season. Team members, including junior Nathan Mcrea, a player in his 3rd season, have credited that poor season to player attrition from issues with the previous coach.

“[He had] too high of expectations for a goofy team like Clover Hill,” Mcrea said. “People also did not like how he picked favorites on the team and forgot about others who weren’t as good.”

At the end of the 22-23’ season, the coach quit and went to coach Girls Volleyball at Manchester. Taking his spot was one of Clover Hill’s Physical Education (PE) teachers, Charles Anderson. Previously a coach for the Girls Junior Varsity volleyball team, Anderson was initially apprehensive about taking on both boys volleyball teams.

“It was interesting to say the least, being both the JV and varsity [coach],” Anderson said. “It was not hard being the new coach once the teams knew that I was dedicated to the program and the players.”

After some growing pains, Anderson took up a mainly administrative role, coaching during the games and some practices, while senior Brayden Berardo guided most practices. Something that set this season apart for most team members, including senior Sean Selfe, was the shared attitude of the team.

“We all agreed that we wanted to have fun, but also be competitive and win games,” Selfe said. “I feel like we achieved that vision.

Selfe, throughout the season, amused players and spectators with his unorthodox 360 twirl serves and his slide-tackle-esque digs, serving as the team’s comic relief. The different team chemistry also stood out to Selfe.

“All of the returning guys, new players and Coach Anderson were a great group to be around,” Selfe said. “I feel like we all had a strong connection.”

Another important part of the team’s culture were the frequent “Sheetz runs.” After games, the team would hangout at a nearby Sheetz Gas Station.

“Sheetz runs happened after every game [where] a few of us would grab food [and] discuss the game,” Selfe said. “We went, no matter [the] win or loss, [and] it brought a sense of stability and comfort. After some big games, we would have almost the entire team there and it felt very special.”

The team this year was composed heavily of seniors. Last season’s team had one senior; this season had eight. Some had played on the team for all four years, while most were in their second year. The latter scenario was due to many playing as sophomores, quitting before junior year and returning senior year. One such player was Liam Stewart who came back for his final year.

“I came back because of the coaching change,” Stewart said. “Ibby (one of the players) convinced me to.”

This season had many upsets. Mid-season, the Cavs took Cosby to 4 sets and had a surprising win against James River. James River, the 2020 Volleyball State Champions, lost the game in 5 sets. That game cemented the Boys team as a force to be reckoned with in Chesterfield County.

“I had an enjoyable [season] with my teammates and bonding [with them],” Stewart said. “The team needed a rocky start to get us to where we got, but we learned to work well [together].”