By Andrew Licking

After a season in which the Knights went 19-6 and won the North Region title, the boys volleyball team has started this season strong, going 7-4, including a 3-0 win over rival Walsh Jesuit.

The Knights have played their lasr nine matched on the road, going 6-3 through that span. The team has won its last five games.

Junior outside hitter Paul Blischak sees many positives coming out of the road trip.

"We got a lot of experience," he said. "That will help us play better."

Junior setter Scott Weaver agrees that the road games were a good experience.

"We played well and held our own and are looking good for the rest of the season," he said.

Among the staunchest supporters of the team is its coach, 1997 Hoban graduate Matt Mihelic.

"This year I'm anticipating us being one of the premier programs again in the North Region," he said. "I expect to be competitive in every game."

It will continue to be difficult for the Knights, after they lost two of their six starters from last year. Yet not having Mike Antonucci (first team All-region) and Steve Baumgartner (second team All-region) in the lineup has opened new options for the Knights to use.

"I don't anticipate leadership being an issue," Mihelic said. "While losing two seniors is a problem, it makes for interesting competition within the team during practice for who takes charge of drills and conditioning."

On April 26, the Knights face St. Edward at home. According to Mihelic, the game is the Knights' "big game" of the season. His goal is to get as much support from the Hoban crowd as the team can get.

"We would like to pack the gym for that game and get as many rowdy fans out there as possible," he said.

As an extra incentive for the fans to attend matches, there is a serving contest between the second and third games of each of the home varsity matches. In the contest, fans are invited to come onto the floor to serve a ball over the net and, should it land on one of the many T-shirts on the other side of the court, that fan will win that T-shirt.

Tonight, the Knights play Walsh again, this time at home. Junior-varsity starts at 6, and varsity at 7:15.