Camas High School (CHS) students may be able to play boys volleyball this spring right inside their school. Since no one uses the school gym in the spring, a practice space for a new team could raise demand for the boys sport.

Volleyball is generally seen as a girl’s sport, with all 50 states having high school girls volleyball as an approved sport but only half having boys volleyball. Washington is one of the states that does not have an official boys volleyball league, meaning there is no formal season or conference for the sport. 

“The state of Washington doesn’t have any boys volleyball teams at the high school level as a sanctioned sport,” Athletic Coordinator and Associate Principal Stephen Baranowski said, “However, a club program could get started [at CHS]. If there was a concerted effort to create a little league, we could do something like that.”

Since there is no authorized boys volleyball program available in Washington, a new team would have to be an intramural club, meaning they only play against other CHS students, or coordinate with other close high schools to create a league where they could play against each other.

“I play in a club,” Girls Volleyball manager and CHS junior William Chen said, “I’ve been playing since 2020 and would like to play outside hitter.”

“I think boys volleyball would be awesome,” JV Girls Volleyball player Juliana Corbett said, “I think boys volleyball is so different from girls volleyball. It’s a whole other level and I really enjoy watching it.”

The interest in a boys volleyball team or club at CHS may not be well known throughout the school, as many may view forming a team as a task that cannot be completed due to a lack of interest and coaches for the team.

“I would be interested in seeing a boys team here at CHS. I see and hear of a lot of interest of us having a team. Students always ask me if I can start one,” Girls Volleyball head coach Michelle Ford said, “I would certainly be interested in coaching a boys volleyball team. I’ve always wanted to.”

If there is interest in new sports at CHS, it is possible to get a club together and play with friends. This does not only apply to boys volleyball at CHS but can be applied to other sports that have enough interest, time, and access to equipment.