In its first year as a varsity program, the Hopkinton High School boys volleyball team faced a steep learning curve. But coach Jake Enos said the team showed strong improvement throughout the season, and the players know they are setting the tone for the program for years to come.

“The junior class right now, which is 10 guys in total, it’s mostly the same group of sophomores that started the program, and they get the notion of what it could become, of its potential,” Enos said. “They are trying to spread the word to the community about how great a sport it is and what the future can hold.”

Hopkinton is well known in the area for its strong girls volleyball team, but the boys team is brand new. After competing as a junior varsity team a season ago, the Hillers posted a 6-14 mark during their first varsity campaign.

“At the beginning of the year, they had to get used to the speed of the game and how different it is from some of the games we were playing last year,” Enos said. “We have a full schedule, so they have realized that we have less practice opportunities, and it’s all about the games. They have come together as a team and made it a positive first year.”

The driving force behind the Hillers was the trio of captains, individuals who Enos said kept the team together and kept persevering through tough moments.

Alex Piccioli is a strong all-around player who seldom leaves the floor.

“His work ethic and his effort are outstanding,” Enos said. “He is always hitting the court, diving for balls, and giving that extra effort when the team needs it.”

Liam Grady is another captain and one of the team’s middle hitters. He is a key cog on both offense and defense, and Enos noted that most of the offense runs through him. Grady often is the first player at the net ready to block an opponent’s attempt at a kill.

Kunwer Chhatwal is a very composed player, his coach said.

“He doesn’t really show his frustration or anything if things don’t go his way, he just moves on to the next play,” Enos said. “That is a huge mental skill that is tough to teach.”

All three of the Hopkinton captains are juniors and slated to return next season. This year, they were tasked with guiding Hopkinton’s improvement, which Enos said was palpable .

“The goal was to get better as a team,” he said. “I wanted us to learn and adapt, and this season we definitely have done that.”

While improvement is the goal, the wins are a nice perk. Hopkinton’s first-ever varsity win was a memorable one. The Hillers erased a 2-0 deficit to beat Norwood in a Tri-Valley League contest April 1.

“They were ecstatic as a team,” Enos said. “They locked in mentally after going into the third set, and they were so positive to each other and elated. This is really a team sport, and that first win definitely showed that.”