The expectations are high for the Barrington High School boys volleyball team this year. 

BHS Coach Christian Lambert said the Eagles are an experienced, senior-heavy team team. Last year, the Eagles reached the playoff semifinals before getting eliminated by eventual-champs Lincoln. 

“The expectation is to go much further in the playoffs than we did last year,” he said. “We were not mentally as strong as we should have been to go to the finals.”

This year, the Eagles are focusing on becoming a more comfortable, confident and positive team. Coach Lambert said those three factors will likely determine whether the Eagles have what it takes to reach the finals and bring home a championship.

In the first match of the season, Barrington displayed some of those traits. 

“Up until the 15th point of the set we were playing well against the other team, but we weren’t playing as good as we should have been playing because we were making some mental errors,” Coach Lambert said. “End of the third set, we made some strides.”

Leading 2-0 in sets, Barrington found itself tied 18-18 against Central in the third set. The Knights went ahead 20-18 and Coach Lambert called timeout. The team gathered around their coach — he preached a simple message: “When we earn our own points, the celebration has to be loud. It has to be boisterous. That energy is going to carry you into the next point.”

The Eagles scored three straight points and took a 21-20 lead. The Knights tied it at 21-21, but Barrington then rattled off four straight points to capture the match and secure the victory (25-18, 25-15, 25-21).

“And they were four amazing points,” he said. “Rallies that are lasting 20 to 30 seconds.

“I’m excited about the way they showed perseverance and conviction at the end of the third set. They took care of it at the end of the third.”

Coach Lambert said this year’s team will attack the opposition from everywhere are the court. 

“We’re attacking from all three front row positions and we’re attacking from two back row,” he said. “It’s something you want to progress to and we’re finally there.”

One the Eagles’ top players this year is senior Cam Kelley.

“Cam Kelley is going to be the highlight of our team this year, but he’s also going to be surrounded by other bigs like James Ciummo,” Coach Lambert said. “We have some very consistent players in Max Oberacker and Luke Andsager. And then Sang Min Park is going to be the best ‘quarterback’ in the league this year. He’s going to run our offense very very well. I don’t think he’s going to get all the credit statewide because some of the big hitters other teams have. I feel like he’s there.”

Coach Lambert also praised the contributions of senior libero Luke Van Ness. 

“Van Ness is the man who makes the plays continue,” Coach Lambert said. 

Evan Katsinas will help the Eagles as a defensive specialist in the back row. Sophomore Donovan Park earned a spot on the varsity with a strong preseason, Coach Lambert said. Cal Oberacker, a sophomore, will be a swing player for the Eagles. 

“We were freshmen-heavy four years ago. Now we’re senior heavy,” Coach Lambert said. “I’m excited for these kids. We’ve been working hand in hand for four years in a row…These kids have been with me for four years and it’s been fantastic. The best part is building their IQ as much as I could for four years in a row. They just absorb it, and they want more.”