As the spring season begins, the Lincoln-Way Central boys volleyball team is preparing for a potentially transformative year, driven by senior leadership, mental resilience, and consistent dedication throughout the year.
Senior outside hitter Dylan Brannigan is assuming a leadership role as the team seeks to build on last season’s progress. “I wanna be more of a leader being a senior, you know, having a louder voice,” Brannigan said. He added that his primary focus this year has been improving his passing and ball control through playing club volleyball and gym training.
Brannigan’s optimism is shared by his teammate, senior libero Colin Alvers. According to Alvers, he feels confident about the team’s prospects. “I feel really good about this season,” Alvers said. Reflecting on their previous performance, he noted, “We went really far and made it to the regional championship, but this year I think we’re definitely going to go farther than that.”
Head coach Mary Brown, who is in her 19th year at Lincoln-Way Central, expressed pride in the team’s development. “I love the boys program. They go all in and give 100%, and every practice you see them get better,” she said.
Brown also emphasized the importance of mental toughness for the Knights’ success. “We are trying to work on mental toughness,” she said. The team engages in activities off the court such as reading books and discussing strategies for handling stress and weakness.
With strong senior leadership and a cohesive team culture, Lincoln-Way Central aims to elevate its performance this season.