This season is all about growth. The HSE Boys Volleyball team walked into spring with a renewed mindset, determined not just to play better, but to be better. Each player set personal goals, reflected on last year’s challenges, and committed to the mentality needed to take the team to the next level. 

Junior outside hitter Ethan Kilburg shared one of the biggest lessons he took from last season a mindset shift that he believes will define the way he plays this year: 

“One lesson I learned from last season is that I learned that not every play or hit is going to go my way, but to control the things I can control and not focus on the past. If I continue to build up all the bad things I have done in my head, it will weigh me down.” 

Last year’s goals are behind them. Now, the team’s focus is on making this season better, not only for themselves but for each other. When one player has a set mindset, it impacts everyone. 

A volleyball team can’t grow if everyone works alone. Each player needs to share the same purpose, the same drive, and be ready to support each other. Celebrating every win, every lost, every point, and every step forward. 

That’s how a real team grows. Kilburg shows the mindset he develeped for this season,  

“A mindset that I developed last year and continue to follow is the next ball mindset. You can’t change the play that just happened, so it’s the next ball that is important, that’s what matters.”  

 Kilburg’s words capture exactly what this spring is about Owning the moment,
Letting go of mistakes, And stepping onto the court with confidence, resilience, and purpose.