By Will Gilson, Currier Times Staff///

Family, friends and the Curry community gathered in the Katz Gymnasium on January 18th to watch the first match of the new Curry College men’s volleyball team against Sarah Lawrence College and Dean College. Curry won both games 3-1.

For students in attendance, it was a dream come true to see the Men’s team take action for the first time.

“I’ve been always wanting a men’s volleyball team for this school even since I was a freshman,” said Abby Leonard, a Graduate student of Masters of Education.

Going into the games, Head Coach Alex Adelman had expectations about them contributing to the team’s identity.

“We are going in with that ‘underdog mentality’ and proving to ourselves what we worked so hard for is achievable and will be achieved,” Adelman said. “We want to be a team who is respectful and respected.”

Team members express the same views that Adelman has. Junior Defensive Specialist and Biology-pre vet major, Abdiel Ixlaj, expects the inaugural season will contribute to a strong future for the team.

“Hopes for this upcoming season is to push hard and show everyone that we are capable of a whole lot,” Ixlaj said. “Becoming closer with my teammates along the way.”

Coach Adelman mentioned the team this year won’t be competing in the conference due to the late development of the program.

“We are independent which means I got to pick and choose who we wanted to play,” Adelman said. “Timing of when we officially become a division III NCAA sponsored sport.”

Despite not competing in the conference, team members are excited about the season. Outside Hitter, Michael Swanigan, a freshman Business Administration major, already enjoys the team culture both on and off the court.

“It’s about being part of a family that supports each other on and off the court,” Swanigan said. “It’s also about commitment, growth, and the drive to push each other to new heights athletically and academically.”

The Curry men’s volleyball team was established in the fall of 2023, and the season runs from mid-January to early April.