Historic First Division 1 SEASAC Win for SSIS Varsity Boys Volleyball

When we recently sat down with Varsity Boys Volleyball captains Tristan and Gordon, along with their coach, Chris Sylvester, to congratulate them on the historic SEASAC Division 1 Varsity Boys Volleyball win, the first thing they spoke about was their team culture.

Reflecting on the values and teamwork that defined their season, the captains offered a clear window into what athletics at SSIS aims to develop: confidence, care for others, and the mindset needed to grow through challenges.

This year’s SEASAC title was no minor feat. Since entering SEASAC volleyball in 2018, SSIS has progressed steadily, moving from Division 2 into Division 1, then placing fourth, third, second, and now, for the first time, first place. A significant accomplishment.

But as you can already tell, the story behind the result is about more than winning. It is about the culture that propelled this team forward.

The Role of Goals & Setting a Clear Vision

One theme that surfaced repeatedly in our conversation: energy. The team made it a goal from the first week of the season. “Every point, good or bad, we came together,” Tristan explained. “Keeping our energy positive was something we talked about from the beginning.”

Together, the team also set expectations for how they wanted to act, communicate, and represent themselves. That included everything from punctuality, effort, positivity, and how players wanted to show up for one another.

“When we drifted from those commitments,” Coach Sylvester explained, “we didn’t punish. We reflected. We asked: ‘Are we being who we said we wanted to be?’”

That habit became a stabilizer throughout the tournament. When momentum slipped, the captains reset by returning to that shared goal. Sometimes it meant a quick huddle. Sometimes just a steadying reminder. Sometimes it was focusing on instilling a calm energy. 

“Staying calm helped me a lot,” shared Gordon. “If I stayed composed, others stayed focused too.”

This commitment to remaining a positive force in each other’s journeys was evident throughout the interview. It shaped the team’s identity, whether they were ahead or behind.

Traditions That Carry Meaning

Digging deeper into what contributed to setting a strong team culture, the trio shares that it was the small traditions set along the way.

The legacy pre-game chant, “Who’s got your back?” started years ago by a former Dragon athlete, has carried across several generations of the team. For this group, it served as a reminder of what they valued most: playing as one unit, not fifteen individuals.

“The traditions are passed down from team to team,” shared Coach Sylvester. “It’s not something I tell them to do. And those little things help players feel connected, and support everything else we try to build.”

Another meaningful tradition is the stories Coach Sylvester shares with the team the night before a tournament. Meant to encourage reflection and set the tone for the following day, they center around themes like giving one’s best effort, having the will to win, and taking pride in how you handle challenges.

These stories help players reset their mindset and carry key messages into competition. 

Leadership That Lifts Others

When Tristan and Gordon described what they’d learned about leadership in their role as captains, they didn’t talk about directing or managing, but rather about supporting.

“Someone will have a tough day,” Tristan said. “As captains, we want them to know they’re okay and help them move forward.”

Not only is this reflective approach a true testament to living a Sense of Self and Respect for All, two of our five SSIS Core Values, but it also describes the kind of leadership that SSIS hopes to cultivate: leadership rooted in relationships, steadiness, empathy, and understanding the needs of others.

It’s the type of leadership that strengthens a team and shapes students well beyond volleyball.

When asked what they hope future SSIS volleyball teams remember, neither captain mentioned the title. “I hope they carry the chemistry we had,” Tristan said. “We trusted each other.”

Gordon added, “I hope they keep believing they can win. Sometimes we go up against schools twice our size. This year, we believed before we stepped on the court.”

There is no doubt that the SEASAC Division 1 title is an important milestone for the SSIS volleyball program. But the culture this team strengthened, grounded in humility, support, and belief, should be just as important in the legacy they leave behind.

It is also a strong example of what students gain through athletics: confidence, resilience, leadership, and the experience of being part of something larger than themselves: lessons that last far longer than a season.