Columbus East High School

The Orange Pit — The Columbus East boys volleyball team opened their season on a high note Tuesday night, defending their home court at the Orange Pit with a four-set victory over the Floyd Central Highlanders (JV). In a match defined by momentum shifts and defensive stands, the Olympians walked away with a 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 25-23 win. The victory was particularly notable given the makeup of this year’s roster. With a 13-man squad featuring several players new to the sport, the Olympians displayed a level of court chemistry and competitive spirit that suggests they are quick learners. After dropping the second set to the Highlanders, East regained their composure to control the final two frames and seal the season-opening win. Stat Leaders The Olympians’ success was fueled by a balanced attack and a strong presence at the net. Setting the Tone: Kash Coers served as the engine for the offense, recording 18 assists. He was also a force from the service line, leading the team with 5 aces. Offensive Attack: David Sylva led the team in scoring at the net with 7 kills, followed closely by Kamron Robertson and Jacob Thomas, who contributed 5 kills apiece. The Wall: On the defensive side, Eli Shafer was a standout, recording 7 blocks to disrupt the Floyd Central hitters. Matthew Muir added 2 blocks of his own. Back Row Defense: Jax Branaman anchored the backcourt with 4 digs** and added 3 aces to the tally. Junior libero Trevor Ernst also contributed 3 digs and 2 kills and was steady presence on the floor in the winning effort. Road Ahead With the first win under their belt, the Olympians now prepare for a demanding stretch on the calendar. The team will spend much of the next two weeks on the road as they navigate a dense schedule of nearly two dozen matches over the coming six weeks. The Olympians look to keep the momentum going this Thursday as they travel to take on Perry Meridian First serve: 6 p.m. Match Box Score Player | Kills | Aces | Blocks | Digs | David Sylva | 7 | - | - | - | Kash Coers | 2 | 5 | - | 3 | Eli Shafer | 2 | - | 7 | - | Kamron Robertson | 5 | 1 | - | 2 | Jacob Thomas | 5 | - | 1 | - | Jax Branaman | - | 3 | - | 4 | Trevor Ernst | 2 | - | - | 3 | Josiah Shelton | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | Matthew Muir | 2 | - | 2 | - |