This 2025-26 school year, Oshkosh’s North and West High Schools came together to create a first-ever boys junior varsity volleyball team, a move driven by the sheer strength of student advocacy and the sport’s rapid growth in popularity and recognition in the area.
Though the team’s formation marked a first in the Oshkosh Area School District’s history, its first season set a very high standard on the court, with the JV1 team finishing the season almost undefeated, immediately becoming a new benchmark for established teams in the area. The JV2 team finished the season without a loss to their name, proving the strength and chemistry throughout the North/West co-op team.
However, the multitude of wins was a pleasant bonus for the coaches, but not the primary focus. Coaches KJ Helmbrecht and Dan Tompkins initially set out for a broader goal for the new program. They wanted to “gain as much interest as possible and just kickstart boys volleyball in Oshkosh” said Coach Tompkins, also adding “We wanted to make the season fun and exciting for [the players] as well as making you guys better [athletes].” The coach’s goal of having a fun, inaugural season to start off the historic team, is what allowed the players to have exceptional strength on the court.
Many players on the team including Irtasam Umar, a junior at West High, showed their appreciation for the players and coaches involved. Umar was a key player in the making of the team, saying how he “felt pretty great” about the team. “[We] went undefeated, I’m glad I could get this program to go so far and I’m glad that everyone who joined it with me decided to stick with it the entire way.”
Another player, Aydan Lor, a senior at North High, described how he felt privileged to be part of the team, and how awesome it is for this team to finally be a reality. He says, “I feel extremely special and lucky to be a part of the first ever boys volleyball team at Oshkosh North [and West]. It’s something that has been talked about for a few years now and it’s exciting to finally see it happen.” Aydan also described feeling a sense of community and value by being part of the team, stating that, “I don’t think it matters if we win or lose, there are a lot of other things I got out of being on the team. I made so many new friends and connections, and learned so many things other than just volleyball skills.”
Students, players, coaches, and spectators alike all welcome this new team, as it creates a strong, rare bond between schools, and provides male volleyball enthusiasts a vital chance to develop their skills. The co-op’s nearly undefeated status across both teams is also setting a new standard for established teams in the area, and proving the strength that the combination of North and West High can have. With its first season complete, the co-op is looking to have another history-making year next fall, with future hopes being that incoming freshmen will be fond of the team, and current-season players stick around for another amazing run.
