Last season, the Latrobe boys volleyball team finished 6-9 overall, 5-5 in section play, and saw its postseason run end in the first round.
This year, the Wildcats return with a senior-heavy roster determined to take a step forward.
One of those seniors, Owen Ward, has been a key part of the team’s outstanding start.
“Very motivated. Last year we went into the season, I think way too confident,” Ward said. “We all worked really hard in the offseason.”
The beginning of this season has been highlighted by a win at the North Allegheny tournament and a key victory over rival Derry.
Ward contributed 10 kills and seven aces against the Trojans. Despite his strong stat line, he admitted it took him some time to find his rhythm in the match.
“I honestly didn’t really feel like I was doing that great at the beginning,” Ward said. “So I went back to the service line, and I sent some strong serves in, got a good bit of aces and then got some kills along with it.”
Ward earned first-team all-section and second-team all-WPIAL last year and has his sights set on improving those.
“I love the recognition. I’m definitely going to go for first-team all-section and first-team all-WPIAL people this year,” Ward said. “I work really hard in the offseason. I go to the gym five to six days a week, working on my vertical and upper body strength.”
Listed as a middle blocker and outside hitter, he primarily plays the latter now.
His versatility in both has played a key role in his development.
“Having that middle blocker experience in the past helps,” Ward said. “Middle blocker, you got to be fast on the court. It helps my speed. It helps my awareness in the front row.”
Ward is planning on attending Saint Vincent with a major in finance and to play volleyball.
Ward took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:
How did you get started with volleyball?
My mom always used to play. She played all through her high school career and she played in college, too. She played at Waynesburg. So she always brought it upon me and my brother to play volleyball. I never really thought about playing it until my brother started. I used to play baseball and basketball. But then I got a little bored with baseball, and I figured I would try out volleyball. So I went to an open gym when I was in fifth grade, and then I just loved it since then.
How has the season gone so far?
This year, I feel like we’re just getting out there, and we’re just focusing on having fun more than anything. Years before, me personally, I would take everything so seriously, but, in the end, volleyball is just a sport and supposed to be fun. That’s what we’re doing now.
What are some of the goals for the team and yourself this year?
For the team, we definitely want to win the section. We’re coming out this season with the underdog mentality, though. We don’t want to get our heads big. So we’re going to start with this section, and we’re going to go into the playoffs still with the underdog mentality and we’ll see where that leads us. Personally, I just want to be the best captain I can for these guys. Really want to make this experience this year just the best for everybody. I’m really trying to focus on keeping the energy high on the court. I really have many statistic goals that I want to fulfill. I already fulfilled breaking the single-game kill record last year. I’d like to beat that again, but team first for me.
What are the advantages that come with that position flexibility?
I know how I can angle my body in different ways and angle my arm to hit all the different spots on the court because in the middle, I would have to hit all over the court, right and left. Outside, I can hit it down the line, or I can hit across anywhere on the court.
What is one thing that people may not know about you?
My favorite hobby besides volleyball is pickleball. I take pickleball very seriously. I was bored in the summer, and I just picked it up, and that’s just my favorite thing to do in the summer, and I’m ready to play again.