The Bishop Amat boys volleyball team is halfway through the season and the Lancers are 8-3 after 11 matches.
The Lancers are coming off a wonderful 2024 season with a 9-1 record, winning the league title for the first time since 2014.
They hope to mirror their accomplishment last year and build upon their 13-9 record that won them league and qualified them for CIF Playoffs.
Senior Jonathan Armas, who plays as a defensive specialist, is in his last year with the team and wants to make it farther in CIF Playoffs.
“I hope that we are able to win another league championship and make it far in the playoffs,” said Armas.
The key to winning, Armas says, is team chemistry.
“Our team chemistry is important, there are a lot of younger guys on the team, the older guys can get good chemistry and we will succeed,” said Armas.
Captain Andrew Benavidez, who plays as a libero, also believes in teamwork and has to work to keep a great team morale.
“I think it’s important to lift up my teammates when they mess up,” said Benavidez. “Volleyball is a game of momentum, if you lose that momentum worrying about the last play, it will go down a bad spiral. It is important to lift each other up and be motivating.”
Benavidez hopes to build off the success from last year and lead his team to another league title in his last year with the team.
“The last year we won league so I want to win league again, and then just have fun because it’s my senior year,” said Benavidez.
Coach Tim Flink is feeling optimistic for the future.
“We have a lot of skill, this group of players have a lot of skill, just not a lot of experience, if they can get over that and be quick with their decision making we will be a strong team,” said Flink. “We have great passing, great setting, solid hitting and we actually have a lot of smart players.”
Flink says last season they had a stellar team, but now that the seniors from that team left, he has had to fill in the positions left open.
“Jadis Aulomanea played middle last year on JV but I am moving him to the outside because he showed a lot of progress and consistency there,” said Flink. “Dominic Sanchez was a backup role last year, but now he is a standout, very confident, versatile all around player.”
Sophomore Marshall Kiedpool, who plays as a middle hitter, recounts his feelings on moving up to the varsity team.
“It’s really fun,” said Kiedpool. “I really love my teammates, they’re all super nice.”
Being his first year on varsity, he has big expectations for the team.
“I really want to win league,” said Kiedpool. “And I hope we make it to state this year.”
With a strong start to preseason and last year’s league title pushing them forward, the Lancers hope to build off their recent success and continue their winning ways.
Their next game is their first league game away against Paraclete.
Key Losses
CJ Herrera (Outside Hitter 5’8″)
Ramon Barajas (Outside Hitter Middle Hitter, Opposite Hitter 5’10”)
Richard Lee (Middle Hitter, Opposite, Outside Hitter 6’0″)
Key Returners
AJ Herrera (Junior Setter, 5’8″)
Andrew Benavidez (Senior Defensive Specialist, Libero5 5’7″)
Dominic Sanchez (Junior Outside Hitter, Opposite 5’9″)
Key Additions
Elijah Martinez (Freshman Outside Hitter 5’10”)
Cameron Gonzalez (Junior Defensive Specialist, Libero 5’7″)
Big Games
Cathedral 3/18 and 4/3
La Salle 3/27 and 4/15
Monrovia 4/2
