On March 3, 2026, EF Academy’s boys volleyball took on Chadwick High School in a hard match. EF lost in three sets, 13-25, 24-26, and 21-25, but the team competed closely in the final two sets and demonstrated growth on both sides of the court.
Head Coach David Stack said he knew the game would be a challenge going in.
“We went into this game knowing this would be a competitive team; we’re also missing a couple of people, which brought our game down a little, but we still persevered.”
Stack continued, “Things were better than I expected. I think our passing was stronger than it has been in our previous games, we’re making smarter decisions, and we’re playing really well as a team.”
The second set was the turning point. EF responded with stronger passing and more consistent defense, pushing Chadwick point for point. Long rallies kept both teams battling, and EF nearly forced a split after bringing the score to 24-26. The narrow loss reflected how much the team had adjusted since the first set.
Offensively, EF showed confidence at the net. Aron Hyun mixed in smart plays and controlled swings, while Ray Huang and Matus Benetin contributed strong hits.
Benetin felt the team’s offense stood out. “Our hitting game was really good. Aron, Ray, and I had really good swings. Our defense wasn’t that bad, and we had good serves.”
The third set remained close, ending in 21-25. EF continued to fight through long rallies and stayed composed even after mistakes.
According to Benetin, the team focused on learning in the moment. There were times when the ball was dropped in the middle of the court due to miscommunication, but other than that, the team kept positive energy and finished the game.
Although the final result was a loss, the team viewed it as part of their development.
“This loss is part of our growth as a team. This loss shows us that we have potential and we can compete better from now on,” Benetin said.
While the scoreboard showed 0-3, the entire game proved that EF Academy is improving. With stronger communication and smarter decision-making on the court, the team will continue to improve as the season moves forward.