La Salle Boys Volleyball Secures Another State Championship

PROVIDENCE — The La Salle boys volleyball team made a strong impression this season, with their signature maroon and white colors dominating the courts. The energy from their dedicated bench was palpable, creating an atmosphere that resonated throughout the Murray Center and beyond. This season, the Rams showcased their dominance as they navigated through Division I, with the playoffs serving as a continuation of their remarkable performance.

Finishing the season with a record of 15-3, the top-ranked Rams triumphed in all three of their postseason matches without dropping a single set. As June rolled around, La Salle proved they were their own toughest competitor, culminating in a decisive 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-18, 25-16) against their archrival, No. 2 Hendricken (14-3), in the state championship held at Rhode Island College on June 6. Their path to the finals included convincing sweeps over both Coventry and North Kingstown, marking La Salle’s third championship win in the last four years and their inaugural clash with the Hawks for the title.

Flavio Tavares credited the bench for their success, stating, “Our bench is the best in the state. They help us out so much and we wouldn’t have the amount of energy without them.” Fellow player David St. Onge echoed this sentiment, highlighting the practice squad's ability to push the starters, contributing significantly to their overall performance.

The Rams have been on a victorious journey since securing their first volleyball championship in 2023, which laid the groundwork for a winning culture that everyone has embraced. Tavares led the charge as the team's top hitter, supported by St. Onge, Stephen Buco, Daniel Ayorinde, and others. Setter Cooper Amaral praised the coaching staff for their relentless commitment, saying, “I’m just so proud. The coaches put in so much time — they deserve all the credit.”

La Salle seized control early in the match, establishing a 20-14 lead in the first set after a run of points, including an ace from Jackson Potter. Despite a brief resurgence from Hendricken, Tavares’s tactical kills helped the Rams maintain their advantage. Reflecting on their performance, Tavares shared, “We were trying to play our best ball, and then the next game, play our best ball.”

The final set was a testament to La Salle’s prowess, as they maintained leads of 7-2 and 21-15 before sealing the championship with a flurry of points. Libero Jayden Simao remarked on the team's depth, stating, “It’s impressive [not losing a set], but we have so many great players playing behind me.” St. Onge added, “We practiced hard, our alumni came back, and that just shows how much they love our team and La Salle volleyball.” This match marked only the second all-private school State Championship, demonstrating the growing competitiveness in Rhode Island high school volleyball.

Tavares encapsulated the joy of victory, saying, “There’s no feeling like [winning], it’s indescribable. You have to feel it in the moment, it was amazing to be around my brothers and feel that sense of victory.”