VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — You may remember Kellam High School boys volleyball player Joel Eanes from our coverage two years ago. He's been so dominant since then and it included a monster senior season.
As a 6'8" sophomore, who had only played the sport for two years, Eanes showed potential of being a force for the Knights.
"I just want to be the best. I want to be the best player on the court," he said. "I want to win."
But what changed?
"I feel like I just want it so much more than everybody else," he said.
Head coach Aaron Campbell added, "He knows he can win. He knows this year is his," he said. "He knows we have such a huge opportunity and such a great team."
And win he did. This year's Knights won 28 straight games and the program's first state championship, but Joel's favorite moment might surprise you."
"Something about our game October 10th, I want to say against First Colonial," he said.
In their first game of the season, the Patriots upset the Knights 3-2.
"Everyone thought we would be an undefeated squad and that loss...I feel like that loss put a lot of burden on us. A lot of pressure on us. We're only human and we're going to lose some games. It was kind of a reminder that we really got to step it up and put it all out on the court."
This season, the senior was named Region Player of the Year. Campbell is hopeful Eanes will take his talent to new heights.
"I think Joel, if he continues on the path and stays healthy, has the ability to go pro somewhere. I joked around him saying he's going to go to the Olympics one day and he has to get me a ticket. I don't think there is any limit to what he is capable of."
