As the end of conference games draws closer, the pressure is building for high school volleyball teams across the state, and two key players are rising to the challenge, leading their team through a season defined by strong connections and remarkable growth. I sat down with seniors Isaac Berken and Owen Tierney to chat about their season so far and what defines the Appleton North Boys Volleyball team.
From the start, Isaac and Owen’s journeys into volleyball began unexpectedly, each inspired by family and friends who introduced them to the sport. Isaac, drawn to volleyball after support from his aunt and uncle, initially considered other sports but quickly resonated with the game during his freshman year. “I went to one of the open gyms. It seemed like a lot of fun, so I just decided to go out for a year.” Meanwhile, Owen’s path started in his sophomore year, thanks to the encouragement from Isaac, who helped spark his passion for the sport. Looking back on his experience, Owen shares, “Since that first year as a sophomore, I just fell in love with the game, so I’ve been playing ever since.”
Reflecting on their current season, both agree that things are progressing positively. With an overall record of 8-3 in non-conference play and 3-2 in conference, the team sits comfortably at third in the region. “We definitely have a lot less experience this year than we used to have,” Owen observes, “We only have four seniors and only one returning starter. So we’re definitely a really inexperienced team, but we’re putting up really good fights against teams that are ranked one through five in the state. We’re right there, neck and neck, with those teams. For the experience that we have, we’re doing really good so far.” Isaac agrees, saying, “We’re winning games we [didn’t] think [we’d] win. We’re playing really long games, even if we lose, so I feel like we’re solid.” With their resilience and determination, both players are confident that their hard work will continue to pay off as they push toward the remainder of the season.
Their success this season is a reflection of skill and a result of a strong team dynamic. Both Isaac and Owen agree that the culture surrounding the team this year is outstanding. “As a team,” Owen says, “we just like to have fun with each other, so that really helps the team have good morale going into games, tournaments, that kind of thing…we can hang out playing volleyball, or we could hang out outside of school. Just the culture that we have is really awesome.” Isaac echoes this sentiment, mentioning how the team’s fun energy consistently results in better collaboration and gameplay.
The communication and trust built during practice play a crucial role in-game performance. Through repetition in practice, the team creates a routine always to put their best foot forward. “We’re working on the different rotations, the things that we struggle with, and…having our setters be in constant communication with the hitters,” Owen states. He touches on the amount of trust there needs to be in the offense between hitters and setters to keep things running smoothly.
Regarding challenging situations or high-pressure moments, the two concur that it’s vital to remember that it’s just a game. Many times, it’s easy to get caught up in the competition and place a monumental amount of value on winning or losing, but they say it shouldn’t get to that point. Isaac shares that at the end of the day, “You just have to focus on giving your best effort. But also [focus] on the moment and [focus] on the bigger scheme of things. There are things more important than volleyball.”
Finally, when asked what it means to finish their high school volleyball careers, Isaac and Owen expressed a shared sense of bittersweetness. “It’s gonna be really hard to leave,” Owen admits, talking about leaving the group of players and coaches that introduced him to volleyball. Isaac mirrors the feeling, detailing the pride and sense of community found in those who came before them and those who will come after them in the program. They hope to leave behind the positive culture they experienced this year for those in the future, as that was originally what attracted them. Isaac highlights how “the team dinners and the Instagram page might not seem like a big deal or anything, but that’s what defines our culture.”
As Isaac and Owen continue their final season, it’s clear that their influence on the team goes far beyond their play on the court. With just a few games left, both are determined to leave a legacy of teamwork, trust, and love for the game. While their high school careers may be ending, the impact they’ve had on the team and the culture they’ve helped mold will stick with the program for years to come.
