Senior Ben Notelovitz discovered his niche when he decided to quit the lacrosse team and tryout for the boy’s volleyball team last spring as a junior.  In his first season playing competitive volleyball, Notelovitz was a Bay State honorable mention and won his team’s Most Improved Player award.  Notelovitz turned down recruiting offers at several Boston area schools; he will instead play club volleyball next year at George Washington University in D.C.

Sag: When and how did you get into volleyball?

BN: I started playing volleyball junior year after having my growth spurt and accepting that lacrosse was no longer my game. I started going to the captains’ practices early, and it just took off from there.

Sag: Do you play volleyball year round, or just during the spring?

BN:  Since I started last spring, I’ve been on a team each season. I was on the BHS squad, followed by the Bay State Metro team in the summer, then again with BHS in a fall league at Newton South.  This winter I’m on Beantown Black U-18, the best club team in New England

Sag: When did you realize you were a “stud”?

BN:  After I won the most improved award, I was also voted co-captain by my peers. At that moment I realized that I probably have talent at this game and should focus on it, and it’s been rolling ever since.

Sag: What is one song that gets you pumped up before a big game?

BN:  “North by Northwest” by Blue Scholars.

Sag:  What was your best win and your worst loss?

BN:  The best win was when we beat Newton North at home on senior night last spring. They had beaten us early in the year, and the game just had crazy energy.  The worst loss was definitely losing on the road to Newton South in the second round of the playoffs last year. After having such a successful season, we were shut out, 3-0, and before I knew it the season was over. It felt like someone punched us in the mouth. It sucked.

Sag:  What is your favorite part of being on the team?

BN:  I really love playing and hanging out with the dudes on the team. It’s a group of real solid kids. We all have fun and make jokes. It’s a good time.  I also love pounding volleyballs into the floor like it’s my job.

Evan Sternstein can be contacted at [email protected]