Boys’ volleyball has staged a comeback and girls’ wrestling will soon take to the mats in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Thanks to new funding, Fairfax County Public Schools will offer both sports at the varsity level for the first time during the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, which starts classes next Monday (Aug. 19). Boys’ volleyball will start this fall, followed by girls’ wrestling in the winter.
Since 2004, boys’ volleyball has operated as a club sport under the Northern Virginia High School Boys Volleyball League after a school-sponsored program got scrapped by FCPS. However, the sport never completely faded away.
Last year, boys’ volleyball was available as a club sport in 23 of Fairfax County’s 25 public high schools, and more than 500 students participated in community or recreational volleyball programs, per the FCPS Office of Communications. Many schools have also traditionally included girls on boys’ wrestling teams.
In recent years, efforts to establish varsity programs for both sports have gained momentum, with students and parents campaigning on social media and appealing to the school board for funding.
“Volleyball is the fastest growing team sport in the United States,” Caleb Ludlow, then a senior at Langley High School, told the Fairfax County School Board during its Feb. 23, 2023 meeting. “In my opinion, when compared with the multiple other sports I’ve played, it’s one of the most positive in terms of cooperation and fun and team building.”
The school board approved a fiscal year 2025 budget in May with $566,725 for startup expenses and $437,963 to cover recurring costs for men’s volleyball. Women’s wrestling received $218,500 for initial costs and $377,017 in ongoing funds, including coaching stipends, transportation, and contest officials.
While girl’s wrestling won’t kick off until winter, FCPS spokesperson Steven Brasley told FFXnow that they’re expecting 15-20 students per school for boys volleyball and 20-24 for varsity girls wrestling.
“We expect rapid growth of the Varsity Girls Wrestling program now that the girls have a program and coaches of their own,” he said.
Both sports are now available at all 25 high schools. West Springfield High School hosted tryouts for its varsity boys’ volleyball team last week, drawing 30 students.
According to Aubrey Eaton, the team’s coach, only about half of the attendees will make the cut. However, in an interview with FCPS, she expressed excitement about the dedication and effort demonstrated by the students.
“I have observed a hunger to learn,” she said. “They’re taking it all in, you can see them processing. They are really interested and invigorated to play the sport of volleyball.”
