James Emerian

Coach Justin Williams will assume greater leadership responsibilities for the upcoming season.

Fresno Christian boys volleyball team brings the heat, swinging into an optimistic season full of changes. This year includes a shift in coaching staff with Justin Williams, who served as the assistant coach in prior season, moving into a position of further leadership in practices and games.

After the loss of key seniors and a rough start to the boys’ previous season, the young and hungry team, consisting of a majority of underclassmen, persevered, winning bronze in the Morro Bay tournament. Making it to the first round of the playoffs, the boys ended with an overall record of 16-23.

Coach Justin Williams takes on a new leadership role, leading the Eagles on the court while head coach Steve Guglielmana is now overseeing all Fresno Christian and Triumph Volleyball Academy volleyball programs. Williams competed at the division one college level, playing for California State University, Fresno.

​“Last season we dealt with a very young team with a majority of the team made up of freshmen, which gave them a great opportunity to play at a higher level that many others at their age wouldn’t experience, growing them as players,” Williams said. “Iron sharpens iron, especially in boys’ volleyball when young men hold each other accountable and strive for success.”

This year’s team is already facing challenges due to a lack of major athlete attendance. Other sports, such as soccer and basketball, reached the playoff season, which directly conflicts with the volleyball’s scheduled start time. This is generally a challenge for spring sports since they are the final season of the year when athletes are tired and possibly coming off extended competition seasons.

Multi-sport athlete and four-year varsity veteran Tycen Ramirez, ’26, is one of these athletes who leads the team, passing down his expertise, helping build up his underclassmen. Ramirez is committed to the University of Northern Colorado for football, so he looks forward to putting his best foot forward on the court for his final volleyball season.

​“I’m optimistic for this year. I’m ready to leave it all on the court, including everything I’ve learned as a player to underclassmen,” Ramirez said. “It’s more than the points on the scoreboard; it’s about glorifying Christ in our actions as athletes.”

​The team continues to grow in the number of athletes in comparison to previous years, with many taking up the sport for the first time.

Freshman Micah Eldridge joined the team in hopes of building community through sports. He’s been involved with the program since middle school.

“I really enjoy being able to go to practice,” Eldridge said. “I’m improving a lot now that I’m at a high school level. I’m excited to learn and get better in areas I haven’t been previously good at.”

The boys will face new opponents this year as the team has expanded its pool, such as Buhach Colony.

For more from the feather, read Boys tennis prepares to carry on dominance or CJNG Mexican Cartel leader “El Mencho” reported dead.