The Parkland High School boys volleyball team has been on a roll since the start of its 2021 season. The Trojans are undefeated and had only lost one set in their first seven matches. But in their latest match, they were tested.

Parkland was taken to four sets and had to hold on in the fourth set to earn the victory over Easton last Friday afternoon at Easton Area High School in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference action. Scores were 25-16, 23-25, 25-11 and 25-19.

It was the eighth win in a row for the Trojans, who went on to win their next two matches for a 10-0 start to the campaign. They are also 9-0 in the EPC.

“The biggest take-away for us being undefeated is playing together as a team and always picking each other up after a mistake,” said junior libero Azhar Sumar. “We felt like we’ve been playing together forever, even with missing out last year. We really practiced hard and used the preseason to build team chemistry and it’s helped so far.”

The Rovers (4-4 overall, 3-4 EPC) entered the match as an underdog and played like one. After falling in the opening set, Easton bounced back and won a close second set.

“Easton was aggressive and ready to play,” Sumar said. “They were picking up our swings and keeping points alive. But as a team, we have improved our hitting, blocking, and passing. Our work ethic has been huge for us. That just keeps us in games and helps us win them, especially against a tough opponent like Easton.”

Parkland followed up that four-set win over Easton with straight-set victories over Pocono Mountain East and Dieruff in back-to-back days earlier this week. The Trojans have two more matches this week. They faced Pocono Mountain West on Wednesday (after Press deadline) and will be at home against Nazareth Friday.

Sumar and his teammates are not taking this successful start for granted. They are going to continue to work hard and play every match like it’s their last.

“After not having a season it’s been different since the last time we were on the court was when I was a freshman,” said Sumar. “Missing last year affected us but offseason workouts helped us start building chemistry and then working hard at practice just helps us build our chemistry as a team.”