By Matt Hylen 

As the Natick High School boys; volleyball team continues its impressive run this season, Head Coach Bob Harless has established a program built on culture, consistency, and unwavering commitment to excellence. 

Coming off back-to-back Final Four appearances, the Redhawks are poised for another deep playoff run to complete their ultimate goal of winning a championship.

Harless, a 1992 Natick High School graduate who played football and baseball during his high school years, has brought a unique perspective to the program ever since he took over.

Coach Bob Harless calling to his players as he coaches the Natick High School Boys’ Volleyball team. Courtesy of Bob Harless

However, Harless’ journey was not one you see every day.

After serving as captain of the football team in 1991, Harless eventually transitioned into coaching through his daughters’ youth sports. 

When his daughters began playing volleyball in middle school, his focus shifted to the sport, and he went on to coach both of them at the high school level, where they each became starting liberos for the program.

“I learned the game from longtime NHS coach Peter Suxho, who coached at Natick for more than 20 years,’’ Harless explained. “One day, I walked into the NHS gym and asked Coach Suxho if he would teach me the game of volleyball. He agreed, and over the next eight years I coached alongside him, by coaching both the NHS girls and boys programs, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge of the sport.’’

At the heart of the program’s success is the strong culture that Harless has cultivated from the beginning. “I think the biggest key has been building a strong culture within the program,’’ he said. “From the beginning, the goal has been to create an environment where players are committed to working hard for each other, competing every day, and taking pride in representing Natick volleyball. Once you establish that culture, success tends to build on itself.’’

That foundation has proven invaluable, as Harless has completely transformed the Natick boys volleyball program into an elite contender.

“Coming off the last two seasons and eventually losing in the Final Four two years in a row, we spent a lot of time reflecting on what made us successful and where we could continue to improve,’’ Harless said. “In the offseason, our focus was on building consistency, strengthening team chemistry, and reinforcing the fundamentals that help us compete at a high level.’’

With that said, Harless is not alone in this endeavor. Brendan Carroll, Harless’ assistant coach, has been pivotal to the success of the team as well. 

“Brendan played for NHS and has coached with me for many years,” he explained. “We work very well together and have a similar coaching philosophy.”

As the season progresses, that mindset of hard work and dedication has not faltered.

“Between games, our focus is always on preparation, consistency, and staying mentally engaged throughout the season,’’ he noted. “We spend a lot of time reviewing fundamentals, game situations, and making sure the players understand both our strengths and the areas we need to improve. We also try to keep practices competitive and positive, so the players stay motivated and continue building confidence as the season progresses.’’

What sets Harless’ coaching style apart is his genuine connection with his players. Having coached for many years, including coaching his own daughters, he understands the importance of building trust and accountability.

“I think what works best is that I genuinely care about the players, both on and off the court,’’ he noted. “I try to be approachable, honest, and supportive while still holding them accountable to high standards. Having coached for many years, including coaching my own daughters, I’ve learned that players respond best when they know their coach believes in them and wants them to succeed as both athletes and people.’’

As the playoffs begin, Harless remains focused on the process rather than getting ahead of himself. “We try not to look too far ahead because in volleyball, you have to earn everything one match at a time,’’ he said. “The most important thing for us right now is maintaining our intensity, staying disciplined, and continuing to build confidence as a team.’’

With experienced players, a strong coaching staff, and a team-first mentality, the Natick Redhawks appear well-positioned for a deep postseason run. As they chase another championship, this team’s journey towards greatness is one that should be remembered for years to come.