Sports
Why Evansville Memorial has the only boys volleyball team in SW Indiana
Highlights: Memorial vs Mater Dei baseball Memorial defeated Mater Dei 5-4 in SIAC baseball EVANSVILLE – Darlene Quinlin says the conversation started years ago. Boys volleyball operated as a club sport in Indiana for decades under the guidance of the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association. But participation, especially once it was designated an emerging sport, […]
Highlights: Memorial vs Mater Dei baseball
Memorial defeated Mater Dei 5-4 in SIAC baseball
EVANSVILLE – Darlene Quinlin says the conversation started years ago.
Boys volleyball operated as a club sport in Indiana for decades under the guidance of the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association. But participation, especially once it was designated an emerging sport, kept rising. It led to talks at Memorial High School about fielding a team.
The conversation shifted this spring. The question is, will others now join them?
The Tigers are not just the only boys volleyball team in Evansville, but the entirety of Southwestern Indiana. The closest competitor is 107 miles away. They must travel to Terre Haute to compete in the sectional – this is the first year boys volleyball is operating as an officially sanctioned IHSAA sport.
“I don’t think we are being out-skilled,” Quinlin said. “It’s the lack of experience. We only play on weekends. We just need the experience so Southern Indiana can be put on the map and compete.”
The program had to begin from the ground floor. It started inside the building with its coach.
Quinlin arrived at Memorial in 2020 as the school’s Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. But she also had an extensive background in athletics, specifically 12 years as the volleyball coach at Mater Dei. A return to coaching never materialized or lacked the right timing. This opportunity was different. Memorial wanted to “lead the way” locally in an emerging sport.
She hopes that other schools will join moving forward.
“I am ecstatic they are giving me a chance to get back on the floor,” Quinlin said. “Maybe some of the EVSC schools and the surrounding area will get on board. I’ve got athletes from football and basketball. I have kids who have never played before.”
It hasn’t come without challenges. The primary obstacle is finding competition.
Memorial hit the road to Terre Haute North and Bloomington South – a trip to Plainfield in April was canceled because of flooding. It did host a round-robin tournament on May 3, but the closest opponent required a two-hour trip to Evansville.
The other roadblock? Quinlin had to teach the game almost from scratch.
Memorial has 10 athletes competing this season – two joined after the season started and didn’t reach their required eight practices until last week. The team couldn’t scrimmage six-on-six before the season opener against Terre Haute North.
“We’re making history as the first men’s volleyball team in Evansville,” senior Graham Caudill said. “We were thrown out there and had to adapt. It was thrilling. It really got your heart pumping to see what competition looks like and react to in-game situations.”
Their knowledge of volleyball was limited. Most joined because they weren’t participating in a spring sport such as baseball or track. Their instincts were to rely on athleticism. The players quickly realized that strategy and communication, like any other sport, are required to win.
The Tigers are 2-5 heading into the sectional and face Terre Haute North or Terre Haute South in the semifinal on May 17.
“The athletes have that court awareness and hand-eye coordination,” Quinlin said. “But without the experience, we’re lacking that anticipation. We want to be proactive instead of reactive. It’s a game of errors. If we keep missing serves and can’t make that pass, that puts us behind the ball.”
Will others join Memorial in the future? The answer is still to be determined. But the Tigers understand the importance of being the first to take the plunge. Memorial has the smallest enrollment of its sectional field: Bloomington South, Martinsville, Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South.
133 teams are competing in the inaugural IHSAA state tournament, which concludes at Purdue University’s Mackey Arena on May 31.
“We had to test the waters and see what worked,” said senior Ty Hall. “It’s been important having us as that first team. We know that, hopefully, a lot of other teams will join later. It’s fun. We’re excited to bring home a sectional championship and inspire other teams around here.”