After a tough season last year, Minooka’s boys volleyball team is looking to improve from their 5-7 record and push to be competitive in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

“The quality of play throughout the conference over the last couple of years has increased so drastically, that every conference match-up is one we look forward to,” head coach Mike Kargle said.

With the increase in competition in the SPC, going to games this season will be great. But that also means Minooka has a very tough season ahead of them that they have to work hard to prosper in.

Having a negative record last year was unfortunate but it also brings out things the team needs to work on.

”I am looking to improve my passing this year, and as a team I’m looking to improve our want to win because last year we lacked that grit to win,” senior Cade Ooms said.

If Minooka carries that with them into this season that could be detrimental. Playing more games this season — 14 scheduled plus tournaments — they need to carry a positive attitude with them everywhere.

“Our player’s endurance may pose a problem at the beginning of the season, but by the time matches start to happen, we should be more than prepared for them,” Kargle said.

Kargle has confidence that the Minooka volleyball team won’t have many issues with the increase in games, and that they’ll carry their stamina late into the season.

The younger players on the team also have great role models to work off of. 

“We always count on our seniors (Jason Riley, Logan Crowther, and Ooms)  to lead us both on and off the court. With the last couple of years being what it was, we will look to them to pass on the expectations of the lower-level guys and the program expectations,” Kargle said.

Overall this season will be one to look forward to.

The team has dropped its first two games this year to Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way Central. 

“Our expectations for this season is to compete, grow, support one another, represent each other and our community in a respectful manner, and have an enjoyable experience,” Kargle said.