There are three certainties in life… death, taxes, and the Irish playing volleyball.
Following the tradition of the men who came before us, the Irish have once again returned to the hallowed grounds of North Dome’s Pit with more vigor and dedication (except from the middles) than ever before.
With the new year comes radically new leadership. This year, the Irish are led by President Jack Reford, who brings a fresh Canadian twist to the team. With a strict ban on three set matches and a healthy emphasis on covering and closing the block, PM Reford hopes to establish the Irish as a defensive force to be reckoned with. Along with Supreme Leader Reford, Senior VP Tucker Watson and Junior VP Jack Konrad are prepared to show the team what hard work really looks like. With Reford on the IR for surgery, Tucker has dedicated his interim position to getting just 1% better every practice, which has proved challenging. Fresh off a sabbatical in the French countryside, Konrad is ready to cultivate his profitable skills and demonstrate that he is, in fact, the hungrier wolf.
The Irish squad is younger than ever this year, with a variety of new faces donning the blue and gold. At the outside, the Irish pick up Pasadena legend Michael Lund (FY), as well as the thunder and lighting duo of Ryan Farrell and Andrew Sasso (both FY). Filling the large (and unpleasant) shoes of the fallen Jack Reford at the right side is new addition Zack Koehr (Soph). The team also adds two Midwestern first-year’s in George Henken (S) and Peter Youel (MB), who will be right at home in the snowy tundra of South Bend. Finally, the Irish add some beachy talent in the back row, picking up DS’s Bret Alvarez (Grad) and Luke Hofer (FY), both hailing from the volleyball factory that is Southern California.
With the boy’s only fall tournament under the belt, all eyes are now on the prize that lies in Kansas City. With the Midwest 10 tournament taking place at Notre Dame’s own storied North Dome this spring, the Irish plan to make it very clear that the road to Kansas City runs through South Bend. Stay tuned this spring for more updates on the Irish’s quest to outwork every team out there.