The Parkland High School boys volleyball team has had just the start it had hoped for to begin the 2021 season. The Trojans won their first four matches of the year, and head coach Scott Trumbauer knows that the key to continuously winning is to have a number of different players contributing.

“We have a lot of depth this year and on any given night, we have a full roster of physical players who can step in and help us out,” said Trumbauer. “Our physical play has been a big advantage so far. We have improved our passing in each match this year, which has enabled our setters to get into a better rhythm which leads to more offensive options.”

Parkland’s season-opening match against Whitehall on Monday, March 29h, was its toughest one to date. The Trojans and Zephyrs, who have been District 11 contenders for many years now, went four sets and neither set was decided by more than five points in a thrilling Eastern Pennsylvania Conference opener for both teams, won by Parkland 25-20, 25-23, 21-25 and 25-20.

“Starting out with Whitehall worked out really well for both teams,” Trumbauer said. “Being so early in the season, and having missed an entire year, neither team knew what to expect from each other. Whitehall put a lot of pressure on us defensively, especially with their outside hitters.

“Our guys really came out aggressive offensively too. Chase Robbins and Jordan Lewis really carried us but that was only possible because of the passing and setting of the other guys on the court. The adrenaline really carried our guys the first two sets. While the third set we had a little bit of a letdown, we responded well in the fourth set. I was proud of the way we responded to the third set. Our blocking came through late in the match, which is always a great sign for us.”

The Trojans then won their next three matches over the course of just six days for a fast start to the season. Trumbauer knows after last year that just getting in matches is important.

“It is so great to be back on the court again,” said Trumbauer. “The guys were really anxious to play again, and having so many matches in so few days was great. When we had two matches postponed, our athletic Director (Bill Dreisbach) responded really quickly and was able to get us another match in place of one of them so we could continue to play.”

Trumbauer has enjoyed the start to the season and the team camaraderie is one of the main things sticking out to him at this point.

“The way the team, no matter who is on the court or on the sidelines, has been so supportive of each other,” Trumbauer said. “Since the number of people in the stands is so much fewer than in the past, it’s so much quieter and the guys have really taken it upon themselves to be the first to cheer on their teammates. That is really exciting to me, especially so early in the season.”

Parkland finishes this week with home matches against Freedom and Liberty on Thursday and Friday respectfully.