Hmong College Prep Academy Varsity and JV Boys’ Volleyball teams recently finished their 2019 season. HCPA participates in the Minnesota Boys High School Volleyball Association, an association comprised of high schools throughout the state. In Minnesota, interest in boys’ volleyball at the high school level has grown at a phenomenal rate. In its first year in 2018, over 400 boys from 22 schools competed on 38 varsity and junior varsity teams. In 2019, participation doubled to over 800 boys representing 50 high schools. The organization is in the midst of being approved as a sanctioned sport by the Minnesota State High School League.

Hoping to follow up on his team’s successful 2018 campaign, HCPA Coach Fong Vang was happy with the 2019 season. “This was a tough one considering we graduated six starters last year and only had one returning starter for this year. Considering how inexperienced we were, I think we did well. We ended up with an 8-3 record…not how we wanted the season to go; but we definitely grew from the experience.”

Coach Vang cited the contributions of a few players as a key reason for his team’s success. “Junior Elijah Vang really stepped up his game. Last year he was a sub on the varsity team and he really proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with this year. He led the team with kills and became the foundation for the team. 8^th grader Gavan Moua really helped out as well. It’s rare to have such a young player become a starting varsity setter for the team. He’s a very good setter who is really coachable.  It was great to see him show his talents and the older players really respected him and his skills.”

“For next year, things are looking great,” he added, “All of our starters are returning and we’d like to make a run for the state tournament.”

As it has throughout the state, interest in boys’ volleyball at Hmong College Prep Academy is growing. Coach Vang also sees the day when the Minnesota State High School League officially sanctions the sport.

“There is no way that MSHSL can ignore the response boys volleyball is getting. I know there are a lot of factors that go into sanctioning a sport and sure they have their reasons for not sanctioning it right now. But what I hate to see is the opportunity boys volleyball provides for students. The word is spreading around our school and a lot of boys are interested in playing, so we will continue to have a strong program here at HCPA. A lot of our players do not play other sports and this allowed them to participate in a team sport for the first time.”

2019 Hmong College Prep Boys’ Volleyball Schedule/Results

Hmong College Prep Academy is located at 1515 Brewster Street in St. Paul, southeast of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The school is currently accepting K-12 grade students for the 2019-2020 school year; however, space is extremely limited. For more information or directions, interested students and parents can call 651-209-8002 or online at www.hcpak12.org.