Vilseck's Rohail Jan dinks the ball over Ramstein blocker Nate Levingston during an Oct. 19, 2024, match at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Two years ago, a friend convinced Ivery Coleman to try out for Ramstein’s intramural boys volleyball team.

He hadn’t played the sport before, but he decided to give it a try. And was hooked.

Coleman isn’t the only Royal to fall for the game and that has led to the program achieving varsity status for the first time. The Royals aren’t just happy to be there. In fact, they’re thriving.

Ramstein had won its first five matches of the DODEA-Europe season before dropping the first of a doubleheader Saturday against Vilseck, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17. The Royals bounced back in the later match with a three-set sweep 25-18, 25-23, 25-23.

“It’s been amazing,” Coleman said of Ramstein’s first season. “We’re doing the best we can and having good results for now.”

Coach Eric Kotzar counted on players such as Coleman, who took part in the intramural squad, as well as a few newcomers to fill out the roster.

“It’s been a surprise,” Kotzar said of the team’s success so far. “These guys have really put themselves into this team, and I think some people are going to be surprised when we show up at Euros.”

The Royals’ opponent, Vilseck (4-5), knows all too well the growing pains associated with starting a program. The Falcons played as an intramural squad two years ago and became a varsity squad last year.

The two teams are a part of a wave of programs starting north of the Alps. In DODEA-Europe, the South region makes up most of the boys volleyball scene, with Black Forest Academy being one of the few teams outside of Italy and Spain for many years.

Overall, seven teams from Italy and Spain are in the league.

Lakenheath and Hohenfels have recently fielded teams, while SHAPE has joined Ramstein as a new program this fall. Wiesbaden and Stuttgart have put together intramural squads and could be looking to make the step up next.

Vilseck's Ethan Worby lunges for a serve as teammate Isiaha Gilmore, left, reacts during an Oct. 19, 2024, match against Ramstein at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Ivery Coleman sets the ball during an Oct. 19, 2024, match against Vilseck at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Vilseck's Rohail Jan spikes the ball as Ramstein's Nate Levingston goes for a block during an Oct. 19, 2024, match at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein’s Ryan Cassem goes for a block against Vilseck’s Americo Contreras during an Oct. 19, 2024, match at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Vilseck libero Isiaha Gilmore serves during an Oct. 19, 2024, match againt Ramstein at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Nicholas Tunjano serves during an Oct. 19, 2024, match against Vilseck at Ramstein High School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

“It’s very dominant in Italy, but we’re actually making really good progress in Germany and north of the Alps,” Vilseck coach Ellen Fox said. “The gameplay has increased exponentially. It’s really fun to play other skilled teams that really challenge us and bring a level of competitiveness that is at a higher level.”

The Falcons showed their experience in the first match, controlling most of the match through the heavy hitting of Rohail Jan.

The senior amassed 18 kills, and whenever the Falcons needed a point to stem the tide, they turned to him.

“We were here for business,” Fox said of the first match. “(Jan) knows how to lead a team to victory. He’s a great team player.”

For the Royals, everything funneled through Coleman.

The junior setter peppered passes to his teammates for them to take their turns slamming at the Falcons defense. He totaled 18 assists and four dinks in the opening matches, and followed that up with nine dinks in the second contest.

The Ramstein coach labeled Coleman and senior Lakenheath transfer Jovan Paucar as the team’s key players.

“He’s got to be the most important player we have at the moment,” Kotzar said. “Between him and our libero Jovan Paucar, we would definitely not be the same team we are.”

The Royals will face their biggest test of the season on Oct. 26 when powerhouse BFA comes to Ramstein High School. Then, they will know exactly where they stand ahead of the European tournament on Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, in Vicenza, Italy.

“If we just stay focused but have fun, not too serious, we’ll be fine,” Coleman said of the Royals postseason chances. “We’ll give them a run for their money.”