Falcons look for another CCS run despite loss of offensive firepower

With the loss of major starting lineup players, the boys’ volleyball team looks to make major adjustments

Head Coach: Brendan Wang

Last year’s record: 9-7

Recap: The team made it to CCS for the fifth straight year, but fell to Carmel in Division I semifinals.

Key Additions: None

Key Matchups: Monta Vista, Harker, Mountain View

Star Players: Senior setter Mohan Duvvuri and junior outside hitter Dylan Li

Key losses to graduation: opposite Josh Lee and libero and outside Derek Chiou

League: De Anza League

Prognosis:

After five consecutive seasons of qualifying for CCS and placing well at tournaments, the boys moved up to a more competitive division and are riding high expectations.

Yet with the loss of six seniors from last year’s squad, notably dominant point scorers like Usman Khan and Josh Lee as well as defensive specialist Derek Chiou, the team is facing difficult challenges. Returning to the team this year as experienced players are seniors middle blocker Aditya Reddy and setter Mohan Duvvuri, as well as junior outside hitter Dylan Li and libero Oliver Ye.

“This year's offense for our team is going to be nowhere as close as last year’s,” junior hitter Dylan Li said. “My prediction is even though we lost major key players, we have young players coming from the sophomore class, so I am hoping that those young players can step up this time.”

While the team is perhaps short on offensive power, senior setter and team captain Mohan Duvvuri thinks they can grow and compete.

“I think we can build off of last season and make CCS again if we work hard in practice and get better throughout the season,” Duvvuri said, “but we’ll see in the first couple weeks how we will fare.”

According to Duvvuri, the Falcons hope to capitalize on the fact that the coach, along with most of the players, will be returning as a tightly working unit with an already developed understanding of playing styles and team chemistry.

The teams will be finalized on Feb. 14, as they begin to prepare for the upcoming season by practicing scrimmaging against Homestead over February break.