MILAN, MINNESOTA — Lac qui Parle Valley High School in Milan, Minnesota, fielded its first boys volleyball team during the past school year, winning roughly half of its matches against larger schools. Of the 36 boys on the roster, 34 are Micronesian.

Boys volleyball became an official school sport in Minnesota the previous year. According to the school's athletic director, nearly one in five students at Lac qui Parle Valley High School is Micronesian. There are zero boys volleyball teams within 130 miles of the school, according to an assistant boys volleyball coach.

Athletic director Zach Stelter said the school anticipated strong participation when it added the sport. "We knew we could get a large chunk of our kids participating in this if we add this," Stelter said.

The team's junior varsity defeated Maple Grove at its last tournament. Maple Grove has a population of approximately 71,000, while Milan has a population of about 400.

According to a multi-language educator, Micronesians make up more than half of Milan's population. A Minnesota Peace Corps volunteer traveled to Chuuk and brought the first Micronesian family to the town, and additional families followed.

Head boys volleyball coach Molly Hennen said the players arrived with experience that shaped practices from the outset. "We don't really have to teach basics. You can just tell they've played all their life," she said.

Student Rson Jicko described his daily routine and his reaction to the team's formation. "We just play volleyball every day," Jicko said. "I was really excited. Very pumped."