SPRINGFIELD — With an inexperienced roster, the Frontier Regional boys volleyball team does a lot of learning on the fly during its matches this season.
“We are working on a lot of everything right now,” Frontier co-coach Sean MacDonald said. “Half our lineup is first time players. We are really young…but the game teaches the game if you play it more. I feel like we are doing alright for what we are.”
Even with some difficulties on the scoreboard, Frontier relishes the time on the court together and the positivity of volleyball culture. Playing the game is still fun regardless of the outcome. Courtney Parent is the other co-coach along with MacDonald.
Nate Rivera of the Frontier Regional volleyball team goes for a kill against PVCA, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Ethan Rivera of the Frontier Regional volleyball team looks to set up a teammate against PVCA, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES 
Nate Rivera of the Frontier Regional volleyball celebrates after winning a point against PVCA, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
The Frontier Regional volleyball team huddles before the third set against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
“I think that’s one of the things with volleyball,” MacDonald said. “You don’t see that everywhere. People are recognizing that the culture of girls and boys volleyball is what makes volleyball cool.”
Frontier lost to Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, 3-0, on Thursday night in an independent matchup. Set scores were 25-19, 25-18 and 25-13. While the team is winless and hasn’t won a set, the body language continues to stay positive for the team.
“We ran into a really good serving team today,” MacDonald said. “I think we are improving each time. It’s not really showing up in the wins and losses. Even the number of sets.”
The season is still young for the Redhawks. Plenty of time to learn from more matches and put some wins together to qualify for a postseason tournament.
“We are just looking for constant improvement,” MacDonald said. “I would love to see if we could get enough points to get into the Class C boys Western Mass. tournament. Hopefully that happens. If we can make the state tournament that would be great.”
Nate Rivera and Ethan Rivera are team captains.
“We’re learning basics,” Nate Rivera said. “Learning how to serve and learning how to pass, set our fundamentals. Something me and the other captain (Ethan) are trying to really implement is having fun…be loud and proud and work on raising the morale of our team. I think bonding is really important.”
During the third set with the match pretty much decided, Caleb Fisher and David Tuesca subbed in for their very first varsity experience. The players on the court greeted Tuesca and Fisher with loud ovations.
“I just felt a burst of energy,” Rivera said. “It felt so good seeing someone new hop on…everyone deserves to at least try even if its serving and missing, they got that volleyball experience. I think that’s what’s really important.”
The match was a homecoming of sorts for Rivera, who transferred from PVCA in 2024. He started his volleyball journey with the Eagles.
“I started off not knowing my position then I got placed on outside,” Rivera said. “I’ve been working on playing outside and getting better at it.”
Nate Rivera and Chanju Banda led Frontier with two kills and nine digs each. Ethan Rivera had three assists and seven digs. Jack Phillips chipped in with seven digs.
PVCA went to the Western Mass. Class C final last season, losing to Southwick.
Athol 3, Libertas Academy 0 — The Bears swept the Lions at Mallet Gymnasium to win their second straight to open the season. Set scores were 25-3, 25-12 and 25-13. Erick Brito had five kills and five aces for the Bears. Blake Nelson added 10 assists for Athol.
