Four years ago, the Barrington High School boys volleyball team went 1-15. 

The team’s roster featured a group of freshmen still very new to the sport. Athletic, intelligent and willing to work hard, those Eagles powered an impressive resurgence to the BHS boys volleyball program that culminated on Friday night, June 7, with a Division II State Championship victory. 

The Eagles defeated Cranston West 3-1 to capture the championship. Barrington dropped the first set 19-25, but swept the next three, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22. 

Cranston West jumped out to an early lead in the first set, as the Eagles made a few mistakes.

“We dug the hole and we needed to climb out,” said Barrington Coach Christian Lambert.

Barrington started out strong in the second set, building a 4-1 lead. The Falcons battled back to a grab a 5-4 advantage, but Lambert could see his team responding to the challenge. 

“Great feeling though… when you look at your team and you can see the determination on their faces. A completely different look from the semis a year ago,” Lambert said, referring to Barrington’s semifinal loss in 2023. 

The Eagles trailed 9-16 in the second set when Max Oberacker stepped to the service line and reeled off five straight points. The momentum shifted and Barrington’s senior-laden team grew even more confident. 

The scoring went back-and-forth, when Oberacker returned to the service line and gave the Eagles a 20-18 lead. Barrington won the set 25-21 on a key point by Sang Min Park. The senior stunned the Cranston West defense with a dump shot to the center of their court. 

The Eagles and Falcons traded blows in the third set. Barrington’s Luke Andsager scored some key points and Cranston West struggled to keep pace. 

"Luke Van Ness is passing the ball on a dime and making digs and ball saves that many high schoolers couldn’t make,” Lambert said.

A short time later, Barrington won the set 25-23 and took a 2-1 advantage. 

“Going into set four, we talk about how CW has abandoned their power offense and has completely changed to a tip over the block attack,” Lambert said. 

At the same time, Barrington’s defense adjusted to the Falcons’ maneuver. Sang Min Park continued to distribute the ball to Eagle attackers, while Cam Kelley pounded the ball through the Falcons’ defense. 

With Barrington leading 24-22, Park served a jump-floater. The Falcons struggled to control the serve — their first touch was off and their second was pushed too close to the net. Oberacker and Kelley moved in and launched a perfectly-timed block that slammed the ball down onto the Falcons’ side of the court. The point sent Barrington players into celebration mode.

This marked the first state championship in the history of Barrington High School boys volleyball.

“A group of freshmen four years ago that went 1-15 in their first experience as volleyballers, now have become the best of friends and teammates,” said Lambert. “I could not have been more proud.”

Lambert said a number of former BHS volleyball players reached out to him following the Eagles’ state championship on Friday night. 

“I am amazed at how many past players I’ve coached that have gotten in touch with me and have congratulated me on the win,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for every one of those players that came before.”