When he was a student at Dighton-Rehoboth High School, Jake Enos and some of his friends decided they wanted to start a volleyball program. So, they did just that.

“I and a few of my friends were interested. We went to the athletic director, and I was able to have my dad and one of my friend’s dads coach the team,” Enos recalled.

The experience is serving him well as the coach of a Hopkinton High School boys team that is in its first season of existence, competing at the club level.

“I think that starting the program when I was in high school prepared me for what to expect as a first-year club team in terms of skill level and things like having to transport ourselves to away games,” Enos said.

Enos played three varsity seasons in high school and, similar to the Hillers this spring, started the program at Dighton-Rehoboth as a club squad before becoming a full-fledged varsity team.

Hopkinton has done well during its first year, as the Hillers headed into the final week of the season with a 5-3 record. Enos said there has been a learning curve, but he was pleased to see the team win more matches than it has lost.

“Seeing 24 kids sign up at the start of the year, I expected a bunch of kids who were looking for something to do in the spring,” he said. “But what I got was a lot of athletes who were willing to buy into the game and who banded together well. It’s a strong varsity team at this point.”

Hopkinton has nine seniors on the roster, with no captains due to the club nature of the team. Enos said the entire roster has been able to contribute and declined to single out any individual for accolades, noting the team nature of the sport. Next year, when Hopkinton becomes a full-fledged varsity team, the Hillers will have captains like a traditional varsity sport.

Attitude has been crucial for HHS all season.

“Our positivity is the key,” Enos said. “We are moving on after any bad plays. I always tell the kids, ‘it’s a bunch of little points that add up to a big point to win a set.”

Enos said the players were able to glean early glances at their potential, which only further motivated their improvement.

“Once they clicked with each other and had that bond on the court, they started playing well,” he said. “And they haven’t turned back since.”

And, although the nine seniors on this year’s roster will not be able to play at the regular varsity level, Enos said they are happy to help lay the foundation for the fledgling program.

“They definitely have said that they are proud that they started this,” Enos said. “They are able to give future generations of kids the chance to play.”