For years, Bellaire High School’s volleyball courts have been dominated by girls, but thanks to men’s volleyball team Co-Presidents junior Jacob Schwartz and sophomore Colin Chu, Bellaire will soon have its first-ever men’s volleyball team. 

For Schwartz, the motivation to start the team began as a personal one. 

As a club volleyball player, Schwartz wanted more practice opportunities, especially since his friends on other school teams were getting practice at their schools. After teaming up with Chu, Schwartz saw the broader potential of creating a men’s volleyball program at Bellaire. 

“I was like, shoot, we can actually win something, because Colin’s really good,” Schwartz said. 

In the end, Schwartz believes volleyball has something “special to offer” students at Bellaire. 

“It brings people together a lot more than other sports,” Schwartz said. “It’s so easy for anyone to hop in and play.” 

Schwartz is excited about what this could mean for his fellow students. With an official team in place, these students can now practice regularly, compete and experience organized volleyball. 

“A lot of guys who play volleyball for fun will finally have a place to play and get better competitively,” Schwartz said. 

Despite being at the forefront of an emerging program, Schwartz and Chu are unfazed by the pressure of leadership. 

“We’re not really scared,” Chu said, stating how he has “more confidence knowing how all of it works.”

When it comes to  Schwartz, he saw “firsthand how [his] friend started a men’s volleyball team at Strake Jesuit high school last year” 

Schwartz is also “head of Bellaire’s Coed Volleyball Club, [so he’s] already familiar with the inner workings of volleyball leadership.” 

For the men’s volleyball team, Schwartz has higher hopes than Coed Volleyball club in terms of achievements.

“We’re actually going to get coached by the coaches, improve, and get quality reps versus just playing for fun,” Schwartz said.

But the team isn’t just for practice, they plan to win titles and gain achievements. 

“We’re planning to win all [the titles], baby,” Schwartz said. “I really want to beat Strake Jesuit,” 

Coed Volleyball will also be coached by Coach Micheal Martin, the current coach of the girl’s volleyball team. 

“[We] look forward to bringing our coaching experience to the boys side,” Martin said. “We hope to improve the skills they currently have and show them new skills which they may lack.” 

Coach Martin notes that players will need to have an “open mind and are willing to buy into what [they] are teaching.”

This new men’s team will be different from the existing Coed Volleyball Club at Bellaire, which Chu describes as more recreational. Chu describes the enthusiasm from students as been “overwhelming.” 

“I always have people coming up to me in the hallway asking when an interesting meeting is going to be and when tryouts are,” Schwartz said. “Many students who don’t already play a sport are eager to join and give volleyball a try.”

“Anyone that just enjoys playing volleyball” is encouraged to try out, according to Chu, who stresses that the team will welcome all skill levels.

Bellaire’s first men’s volleyball team is set to make a “big impact in its debut season” according to Schwartz as the first boy’s volleyball team in Bellaire history.

The new Bellaire boys volleyball team will be hosting tryouts near winter break. To stay up to date with events, join the Boy’s Varsity Volleyball Remind: @bvball89.