For many athletes, high school sports are where raw talent and work ethic start to form. For Joseph Hess, a middle hitter on the PHS Boy’s Varsity Volleyball team, his previous season has been all about finding his role and mastering the game. A member of the Class of 2028, Joey didn’t grow up dreaming of volleyball or walking into high school as a superstar. Instead, he wanted to try something new and fun, and something that could challenge him in ways that other sports didn’t. “Honestly, I just wanted to try something new and volleyball has always looked fun,” he said when asked about what attracted him to volleyball. “Some of my friends decided to do it, and I thought, why not? It was a lot more fun than I expected.”
What Joey brings to the Pennridge team is elite consistency – a trait seen by coaches and teammates. As a middle hitter, he plays a role that requires quick decision making, timing, and constant movement near the net. So far, it’s been growth upon growth for Joey. “When I first started, I was late on a lot of things, now I’m getting my hands up a lot quicker.” Improvement has been steady for him and much of that comes from his work ethic and will to put in the work necessary.
His friend and teammate, Sawyer Polson, describes Joey as someone who brings calmness but much passion to the court. “He’s one of the most chill people on the team, but when he makes a great play, he gets really hype,” Sawyer said. “He shows up, works hard and never seems to complain.” Sawyer is one of the many people fond of not only Joey’s journey to this point, but also his continuous will to keep going no matter what gets him there. For a freshman last year playing varsity, reading the flow of a volleyball game is one of the biggest challenges, and Joey has taken that challenge head-on, getting more comfortable with each match.
At home, Joey’s mother, Mara Hess, sees the sport as something that helped her son mature and find balance. “I’m glad he found something that he’s great at and also enjoys a lot,” she said. “High school can be stressful for a lot of kids like him, so having something positive to focus on is really good.” She describes Joey as quietly competitive – someone who hates losing and pushes himself harder than most people. One moment that stuck out to her came during a game earlier in his freshman season. “He got a couple blocks in a row, and I could just see his confidence go up,” she said. “He was smiling coming off the court, and that meant everything to both our family and him.”
Still early in his high school career, Joey’s story in volleyball is just beginning. With his work ethic, steady growth, and his team-first mindset, he has already proven himself to be a positive asset to PHS Boy’s Varsity Volleyball. Whether he develops into a superstar player or remains a reliable force in the middle, his presence is clearly felt on the court. As he continues to grow both as an athlete and a person, Joey’s journey shows that heart, consistency, and willingness to improve can be very powerful for a team.
