Cicero Prep Boys Volleyball Team Breaks New Ground

In just two short years, the Cicero Prep Centurions Boys Volleyball team has gone from hopeful newcomers to history-makers. With boys volleyball still emerging in Arizona high schools, especially at the 1A and 2A levels, the Centurions were placed in the 3A division, where boys volleyball teams currently compete. This meant facing off against larger schools with long-established programs, but Cicero Prep rose to the challenge. They finished as runner-up at the Epic Tourneys Boys Volleyball Invite at Arizona State University and earned a spot in the state championship playoffs, including 1st Team, 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention awards within their division.

Boys volleyball is still a rarity in most high schools where the sport hosts about 7 girls for every 1 boy nationwide. However, the interest is rising rapidly. Boys volleyball is the fastest-growing high school team sport, with a 35% increase over the last five years. While the infrastructure trails behind the girls’ side, the surge in emerging school teams like Cicero Prep’s indicate a promising future.

“This team was made up of a really special group of guys. I know many coaches say that, but I genuinely mean it. The team would not exist if not for them. It started a few years back with them passing a ball around with some of the girls during lyceum,” explained Coach Kirsten Frey, who also led the Cicero Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team to back-to-back state championships. “

What began as a casual pastime soon blossomed into something bigger. “Those relationships led to them attending the girls’ games and eventually following their journey to the state championships,” shared Frey. “They would travel to away games and tournaments just to support their classmates. But along the way, they also fell in love with the sport.”

Coach Frey recalled how efforts to start a boys team had been attempted in earlier years but hadn’t taken hold. “But it just wasn’t the right time,” she said. “Last year, a few of the juniors were able to convince enough of their classmates to join the team.”

The 2024 team roster included 15 student-athletes, 12 of whom were seniors who recently graduated. “The team consistently pushed themselves past what they thought was possible,” Frey said. “They held each other accountable and truly lived what it meant to be a team. They celebrated victories together and picked each other up when they lost.”

But perhaps what set this team apart most was their grit and determination. “Most importantly, they embraced a willingness to fail and to learn from each of those mistakes. They consistently beat me to the gym to get extra reps and stayed after to get as much feedback as they could,” Frey said.

Their dedication paid off, not only in terms of tournament performance but also in setting a powerful precedent for boys volleyball within the Great Hearts network. “Their hard work led them to a second-place finish at the Epic Tourney Boys Volleyball Invite and a historic appearance in the 3A state tournament,” said Frey. “If a 1A division existed for boys volleyball, there is no doubt in my mind that they would have swept the competition.”

“I am just beyond proud of those boys,” shared Frey. “They truly embody the Cicero and Great Hearts spirit.”

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