The Emmaus High School boys volleyball team won at least one postseason match in all three tournaments it qualified for in 2023. The Green Hornets were victorious in one match in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference tournament and two matches in the District 11 3A tournament, advancing to the championship match of both. They also won one match in the PIAA tournament as well, capping a successful season at 19-4 overall after falling in the state quarterfinal round back on June 10.

Head coach Jeff Elsea, in his second year as the head coach, saw a lot of positive things within the program this past season. Three of Emmaus’ four losses came to rival Parkland, which won this year’s Class 3A state title on Saturday.

“We had a very good season overall,” said Elsea. “I think the boys hard work and dedication showed in every game they played. We had our ups and downs, but the team worked together to solve them. I think that I tried some new things and had success with some, and some did not work out so well.”

Emmaus won all but one match in conference play, going 11-1. The lone defeat came at the hands of rival Parkland, which also got the better of the Green Hornets in the EPC and District 11 finals. But they regrouped and won their opening match at states, sweeping District 2 champ, Delaware Valley, by scores of 25-22, 25-16, 25-15. The season came to an end in the next match, losing in straight sets to Cumberland Valley.

“Cumberland Valley had a very good defensive team,” Elsea said. “They do not let any ball hit the floor without doing everything they can to get a hand on it.”

Emmaus had a strong senior class that helped lead the way, including seven seniors: Zachary Baus, Jonathan Cannone, Tyler Chu, Brian Cobb, Logan Dougherty, Lord Henry and Klo Htoo.

“The seniors were a great group of boys,” Elsea said. “They showed leadership, and they knew when to have fun. They all seemed to play well together, and they brought the team together when they needed it most.”

But Elsea is excited about the group he has coming back and the experience the underclassmen now have.

“Next season is going to be a good one as well I feel,” said Elsea. “I lose seven seniors this year, however there are some returners that will keep us extremely competitive. Cooper [Henseler], Jametric [Harris], Colin [Holden], Kyle [Long] and Lucas [Mondin] will all be returning so a very solid foundation has been started plus with some of the upcoming players we should be solid.”