The Reeths-Puffer boys volleyball program got some welcome news this spring, learning that starting in 2025-26, the MHSAA will sponsor its postseason tournaments. The sport will continue to be played in the spring.
Boys volleyball is a rapidly-growing sport nationwide; a Sportico article from 2023 said participation has increased by over 40% since 2017, making it the fastest-growing high school sport in America. Over 200 colleges and universities have men’s volleyball programs, including nearly 50 total at the Division I and II levels.
The Rockets’ boys program has been in existence as a club for several years, but enjoyed something of a resurgence this year under first-year head coach Riley Hughes, winning nine matches. Hughes is also an assistant to girls coach Justin Birr, who helmed the boys program in its infancy as well before stepping down due to time constraints.
“They played a lot more than they had in the past,” Hughes said. “In previous years I think we were (around) three or four wins, playing about 12 matches. Playing 28 matches this year was a huge accomplishment for the boys. It was an adjustment for us, navigating such a quick schedule.”
The boys volleyball governing body, MIBoysVB, applied for MHSAA certification last summer, and Hughes said there was always confidence among the group that it would go through at some point, if not necessarily this year.
“I’m very excited it happened as soon as it did,” Hughes said. “I don’t know if people thought it would happen as soon as it did. There’s so much buzz around the game right now and more boys are having interest in the game.”
Hughes said she’s noticed in her time coaching the boys that they are “scrappy” and that while it’s the same sport the girls play, there are clear differences.
“Without having been taught since early elementary or middle school age, they’re more comfortable being uncomfortable,” Hughes said of the boys. “They make plays I don’t see at the girls’ level. Sometimes it leaves me speechless seeing some of these things.”
The Rockets had 10 players on the team this year and will need to add more next year; only five players will be back, as four graduated and another will be on a foreign exchange program in Italy. The pending MHSAA sponsorship should only help in bringing in more players.
“The biggest thing is to get boys more touches on the ball and to make it available to them,” Hughes said. “If that means spending every Sunday in the gym in the winter to get boys touches, that’s what we’ll do.”
While there is considerable competition for high school athletes’ attention in the spring - baseball, track, golf and lacrosse all play boys seasons then - Hughes is optimistic the Rockets can continue to grow as a program.
“We find boys that aren’t runners or would just enjoy an indoor sport,” Hughes said. “I think the more options we can provide kids in the spring, the better. Volleyball is a sport almost anyone can learn if they’re willing to give effort. We can get any kid to a spot where they can play.”
In part because of how young the sport of boys volleyball is in the state, growth and development can happen quickly. The Rockets have an example of it, in fact, on their own roster - rising senior libero Erik Trulsen, who joined the team for the first time this spring and was named an honorable mention all-conference performer. (The state’s 69 teams this year were divided into 11 leagues by geography; R-P played in the Lakeshore league along with Fruitport, Grand Haven, Holland Christian, Mona Shores, Spring Lake and West Ottawa.)
Trulsen said he was recruited to the team by now-graduated teammate Linkin Westra, the Rockets’ setter. He was a natural fit for the libero position because of his athleticism and quickness, though also, in Trulsen’s words, because he’s “short and small.”
Trulsen was thrilled with his experience playing for the Rockets this year and credited Hughes with creating a positive atmosphere on the team; Westra gave him the impression that the mindset of the team was much healthier than the previous year.
“She was always positive when we made a mistake,” Trulsen said of Hughes. “She wouldn’t bark at us. She’d walk us through it. I didn’t even know how to pass when I started playing, but I became a really good passer. She took the time with me.”
The ability to “fully envelop myself in the game,” Trulsen said, was a big draw. He had previously played volleyball in gym classes, but the higher level of playing as a team against other schools sharpened his competitive edge. He is hopeful he’ll be able to recruit other boys in the school to join the team this coming season.
R-P occasionally faces scheduling difficulties; the Rockets were in fact the northernmost team in the state this year. Hughes is hopeful increased interest will result in more opportunities to play closer teams so the Rockets don’t have to venture to Grand Rapids for most of its non-league games.
“It is what it is for now,” Hughes said. “Our goal is to play as much as possible. I’m excited to have more schools up north add teams.”
The Rockets were able to see some of the best of the best this year, as two conference opponents made the state final four. Grand Haven finished as runner-up in Division 1, and Holland Christian reached the semifinals in Division 2. Trulsen said the Buccaneers were easily the toughest opponent he went against this year.
Trulsen and Kaden Marshall will be the two Rockets taking on the circumstance of leading the program as the Rockets play their final season prior to boys volleyball being an MHSAA-sponsored sport. Hughes said it will create an unusual situation for the duo, but she knows they and other Rockets who will have graduated by then will always have an important place in the program.
“It’s tough for the kids who won’t be here for that to come to be, but (it’s important) for them to know that their being here and their commitment are a huge factor in our success,” Hughes said.
