With the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) boys’ volleyball season heating up, many seniors take the time to reflect on their athletic careers and prepare to give their final send-offs to the program. One such senior who dominates the court during play, James Sokoloski ‘24, will depart from the program knowing he has impacted the team’s culture and will be remembered for years to come.

⁤Sokoloski has been a cornerstone of the boys’ volleyball team for the past four years, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the sport he has been involved in for so long. ⁤⁤Reflecting on the significance of volleyball in his life, Sokoloski emphasized its role as a vital stress reliever, noting, “Volleyball has become such an effective stress reliever for me … ⁤I met my best friend through volleyball, and most of my close friends are on the volleyball team.”

Sokoloski’s experience with the sport goes back nine years, a true testament to his love for the game. Sokoloski briefly touched on what drew him to the sport and why he stayed with it for so long, stating, “Volleyball is a really challenging sport … Its fast pace and explosive plays make it really fun to play while also always challenging. Also, the community around volleyball is amazing.”

During his time with the team, Sokoloski has not only showcased his exceptional skills on the court but has also emerged as a respected leader and a source of inspiration for his teammates. He has played at the varsity level all four years of the program, with his first two years as the starting libero, and most recently has been playing as an outside hitter for the team.

During his time on the team, Sokoloski has helped foster a unique team community unlike any other at Foothill Tech, and he looks forward to passing off the torch when he moves on to the next chapter of his life. “Just the energy and environment of our team is unique to any other sport I’ve played and it just makes it that much more fun to play.”

With the season still ongoing, Sokoloski has high hopes to close out his final year with the team strong, commenting, “The team this year honestly has so much talent and promise, I am just trying to have a fun year and help them improve so that the team can continue to compete and have fun next year … Going to CIF [California Interscholastic Federation] would be nice.”

Sokoloski’s game with the Dragons was on March 4, 2024, against cross-town rival St. Bonaventure High School (Bonnie), demonstrated how Sokoloski played hard during his final season alongside his beloved teammates.