The gym at Perry Meridian High School is louder this season and for good reason. The boys volleyball team has climbed into one of the top rankings in the state, and with that recognition comes both excitement and pressure.
For players like senior Daniel Thorpe, a middle blocker, the spotlight feels earned. “It’s a good feeling,” Thorpe said. “In the least cocky way possible, we’re one of those teams people have on their radar.” That awareness has not changed the team’s mindset as much as it has reinforced their confidence. According to Thorpe, the team thrives on energy, something he takes pride in bringing every time he steps on the court.
That energy is matched by a sense of accountability. Thorpe’s personal goal is simple but telling: maintain his position as the team’s leading blocker. It is a small focus that feeds into the larger goal of the group.
Junior Joe Egan, also a middle blocker, sees the ranking as motivation rather than validation. “I feel confident going forward with how much we have left of the season,” he said. Still, he emphasized that the journey isn’t over. The goal is clear, winning the state championships.
“I think we’re pretty close,” Egan added, noting that Roncalli High School is still one of their biggest remaining challenges. But beyond competition, what stands out most to him is the bond within the team. “We’re more than just friends and a team, we’re like a family.”
That sense of unity may be one of the team’s greatest strengths, especially as expectations continue to rise.
For senior Ramlian Thang, he acknowledges their ranking as a “confidence booster” that improves team morale, he is also aware of the potential downsides. “It can get to your head,” he said. “It can make you feel like you don’t have to strive for more.”
So far, however, he believes the team has stayed grounded. “We still have our mission in mind, which is to win state,” Thang said. That focus is a shift from last season, as he admits the team was not always “locked in.” This year, noted that a midseason conversation with the team and coaches helped the group refocus.
Thang’s mindset extends beyond team success to personal growth. Despite surpassing 1,000 career kills, a school record, he remains critical of his own performance. “I think I could definitely do better,” he said. “There’s always something to improve.”
Thang wants to be a dependable presence and a role model for younger players, setting a standard that pushes others to improve. “I need to be someone they look up to,” he said. “A foundation for my teammates.”
That blend of humility and ambition reflects the culture developing within the team.
As the season continues, Perry Meridian’s boys volleyball team stands in a rare position: highly ranked, highly motivated and fully aware that their toughest tests still lie ahead. If their focus holds, the confidence they have built may carry them exactly where they want to go, straight to the state championships.
