The Parkland High School boys volleyball team experienced an exciting week to open its 2023 regular season last week.

The Trojans got right into competition in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, where they are the defending champions. They also rose up to the early-season occasion and took down a top-ranked team in the state in 3A.

Parkland defeated Liberty in straight sets on the road last Monday, March 20, and then followed that up by taking down No. 6 Pennridge, a state semifinalist from a season ago, in the home opener last Thursday in four sets.

Against the Hurricanes, the Trojans faced a tough match, but were never really threatened in coming out on top 25-21, 25-19 and 25-19. Three players led the attack with 11 kills each, including Chase Robbins, Luke Smith and Josh Nation. Robbins also added eight digs. Will Stiles contributed 34 assists and five digs. Ahmad Jaffer totaled 11 digs to lead the defense.

In the win over the Rams, Parkland fell behind, dropping the opening set 24-26. But the Trojans bounced back in a back way in the second set, winning 25-10, leaving no doubt in tying the match at 1-1.

Parkland then took the final two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-16 to start the season 2-0 and take plenty of positive momentum with a ranked victory.

Robbins finished with a team-high 23 kills and added 11 digs and two assists. Nation had 12 kills, while Smith added six and Owen Rodgers had five. Stiles contributed 42 assists, seven digs and three service aces. Jaffer had 11 digs and Kumayl Soonasra finished with five.

Parkland has just one regular season match this week as it travels to take on Bethlehem Catholic on Tuesday. The Trojans will then compete in the Bobcat Invitational at Northeastern High School on Saturday where they will play some state powers, such as Neshaminy, Northeastern, Central Dauphin and Ambridge.