The Badin Boys Volleyball team is back and ready to defend their state Final Four run from 2021, despite losing many key players in the Class of 2021.

This year's team returns three starters, one being outside hitter and key spark plug, Eli Halverson, who was top 10 in kills per game last year in the GCL and is going to miss a lot about the 2021 team.

“I think I’ll miss the experience,” said Halverson. “A lot of our guys from last year were multi-year varsity guys so that experience will be missed. However, we have plenty of guys ready to step in and fill in the spots that we lost from last year.”

Losing seven seniors is not going to be easy for the team to recover from but Halverson believes certain spots will hurt more than others but as a team they will be able to make up for many of the losses.

“I think the middles will be the toughest to replace,” said Halverson. “Dave and Sean were both multi-year varsity guys and middle is a tough position to play so having to replace both is tough. However, I know the guys we got this year are talented and will be great this season.”

After a strong club season, Halverson has huge expectations for himself and the team but seems to be confident in the team's ability to accomplish them.

“We all have individual goals that we want to hit over the course of this year,” said Halverson. “Mine were 300 kills, 200 digs, and to win the GCL player of the year. As a team winning the GCL and then winning state.”