(by Don Meador)
Patriot volleyball returns this spring! Last spring, Allen County-Scottsville launched boys volleyball---giving young men the opportunity to develop and polish skills in a sport that is gaining popularity at both the high school and collegiate level. The Patriots posted a 6-15 record in their inaugural campaign.
For 2026, former Lady Patriot volleyball player and current Lady Patriot assistant coach Chloe Cook will lead the boys program. Cook enters the season with the goal of taking the program to another level.
“One of our biggest goals going into this season is making boys volleyball a sport that people talk about, not an outside sport that hardly gets mentioned,” Cook said. “This being my first year, the guys have been very open and receptive to a new style of coaching. They work hard day in and day out to prove that this sport is ‘worth it.’ and I am so excited to get this season started.”
Cook inherits a senior-laden squad ready to put forth the effort to improve day-to-day.
“We have 10 guys playing this year, six of those being seniors,” Cook explained. “Most of the guys played last year and found a new love for the game. We've got a pretty good crew of guys across the board, very competitive, and eager to get better every time they walk into the gym. They ask just about every day ‘Coach can we stay a few extra minutes to get more reps’ which makes me very happy as a coach to see them wanting to grow.”
Cook mentions that “practices have been exciting.”
“Getting to see each of them grow day after day is fun to sit back and watch,” Cook added. “They take pride in their sport and aren't afraid to admit that they need help. We've got some new guys playing this year and the returners have not faulted at helping out. Sometimes I find myself sitting back and letting them coach each other. We're progressing each and every day closer to our goals.”
Seniors include Ayden Johnston, Tyler Shaw, Anthony Cruz, Sadraka Fachhai, Victor Palacios, and DJ Frields. The remaining players are sophomores Izaiah Johns, Brody Holland, and Ryan Grow and freshman Corbin Ford.
“Having a small number of guys means we’re going to need multiple players to step into some different roles this year,” Cook said. “Tyler Shaw and Ayden Johnston will more than likely be our big hitters with having to double in the back row to provide some additional defensive support. Anthony Cruz and DJ Frields are both new to the sport this year but have brought a huge presence to the net so far in practices. Izaiah Johns and Victor Palacios have worked tirelessly on strengthening their setting abilities and will be key when controlling our offense. Brody Holland, Sadraka Fachhai, Ryan Grow and Corbin Ford keep our defense grounded, fighting for every ball and hardly ever letting the ball drop.”
AC-S plays in Region 1 in volleyball along with Trinity (Whitesville), Ohio County, South Warren, Adair County, and Greenwood---a newcomer to volleyball this season. The Patriot schedule includes home and away matches with each District opponent except Trinity. The first home matches will be in the Patriot Classic on Saturday March 28---a daylong event including Adair County, Greenwood, Ohio County, South Warren, and Buckhorn. AC-S will also play John Hardin and Marion County in events this season.