Courtesy of Atticus Orbach

he Bowdoin Men’s Club Volleyball team is making waves this season. With a perfect 9–0 record, the team is ranked eighth in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) for Division II while competing in Division III regionally—an unusual distinction that highlights the team’s impressive level of play. The Polar Bears are also currently tied for the best record of any collegiate club volleyball team in the country.

Captain Atticus Orbach ’27 knew the team had talent going into the season but was unsure of how it would manifest.

“We knew coming in that we were talented and well trained, but it was a matter of, when it actually comes time to win tough games, are we going to be mentally ready for that? Are we going to want it enough?” Orbach said.

The answer has been a resounding yes. The team’s mental readiness has been evident through their domination in the New England Club Volleyball League, where the Polar Bears have consistently outperformed the competition.

“The degree of separation between us and the other [Division III] teams is pretty significant,” Orbach said. “We’re beating most teams by ten or 12 points.”

What makes the team particularly remarkable this year is its unusual makeup. With no seniors on the roster and most of its juniors abroad, it has been relying on underclassman talent, with five of its eight regular starters being first years.

The program has significantly evolved in recent years, transforming from a recreational co-ed club into a competitive men’s team with serious ambitions, according to captain Harrison Forland ’26.

“Our first years are currently the lifeblood of the team,” Forland said. “There’s six of them, and they’re very talented. I would honestly attribute a lot of our success this year to their talent.”

Gus Burrows ’28 noted that the team’s two captains have brought different skill sets to the table. Forland, who had never played volleyball before coming to Bowdoin, is more focused on team morale, while Orbach brings technical expertise from his extensive high school volleyball experience.

“[Forland] is more of the motivator, energy guy, and [Orbach is] more of the tactical brains,” Burrows said.

Orbach’s position as a manager for Bowdoin’s varsity women’s volleyball team has also been instrumental in shaping the men’s club program. Additionally, coaching assistance from sophomores on the women’s team has greatly benefited the men’s club team.

“We had several practices where the women’s team came in and helped us, and then [at] the next tournament, we increased exponentially,” Forland said.

This leadership approach has fostered a strong team culture and a spirit that extends beyond the court. The group regularly attends Super Snack after Thursday practices, building stronger connections.

“We feel more like a team now, not just a club or a couple of guys who play volleyball,” Orbach said. “I think one thing last year was we only came together to play. Now we’re friends off the court, which has helped us play better together.”

Burrows has experienced this welcoming environment firsthand.

“It was always very positive. I feel like the dynamic has changed, [and] I’ve become a lot closer friends with [the team], so practices have become more fun,” Burrows said.

Despite their strong season, the team faced disappointment when funding issues prevented them from attending NCVF nationals in Phoenix, Ariz. Flights doubled in cost between initial funding approval and the purchase deadline.

“I know a lot of the team was disappointed, but we’re focusing on winning the [regional] NCVF championship. Nationals is something that we can think about next year and the following year,” Orbach said.

The team’s immediate focus is the regional championship on April 5 and 6, where it will face a broader range of competition beyond its usual New England opponents.

“We’ve played pretty much the same teams so far, and they’ve all been [in] this general area,” Burrows said. “It’s always fun to see new teams. Everyone throws different things at you, so [it’s about] trying to adapt to that.”

This year presents the opportunity to avenge last year’s performance.

“Last year, we went to regionals. Half of our starting lineup wasn’t able to go for various reasons,” Forland said. “It was a brutal loss. We tried really hard, but we were missing half of our players. So I’m very excited to take it back this year.”

Beyond reclaiming last year’s missed opportunity, a strong performance could allow the team to move up to Division II.

If one thing is for certain, the team is not just here to compete—they are here to dominate.

“If this is our starting point, there’s a long way for us to go,” Orbach said. “We’re going to get better together. That’s what I’m most excited about.”