Bump, set, spike. Three simple actions, repeated over and over on a volleyball court, have become the foundation of community at the Boothbay Region YMCA.

Every Wednesday night starting at 6 p.m., pick-up volleyball brings people together from across Lincoln County for movement, laughter, and connection. In a place where long winters and busy schedules can often leave people feeling isolated, this weekly tradition has become much more than a game. It is a space where people gather, stay active, and build meaningful relationships through play. 

Since starting in January 2023, the group has grown to include about 20 players each week, with numbers rising during the summer months. The welcoming nature of the program is part of what makes it so successful. All skill levels are encouraged to join in, creating an environment where former college athletes play alongside people who had never touched a volleyball before coming to the Y. 

Trevor Tibbetts, membership director and volleyball program coordinator, believes that openness is key. Volleyball at the Y, he says, “brings together a lot of different people” who may never have met otherwise.

That sense of connection is what keeps many players returning week after week. While the physical activity is important, participants consistently point to the friendships and community they have found through volleyball. Alex Murray, a regular player who works for Lincoln County Television as a videographer, editor, and educator, played volleyball in college and appreciates having a place to continue the sport. “I value the ability to continue to play the sport I love, well after graduation,” Murray said. 

Genesis Figueroa, a bakery manager at the Damariscotta Hannaford, also finds joy in returning to the game. She said, “Volleyball nights at the Y bring back good memories from when I used to play.”  

The program has also created opportunities for people searching for connection in a new place. After moving to Boothbay from Virginia last summer, I found it difficult at first to build community in a town that can feel small and hard to break into. Wednesday night volleyball became an opening. As a former travel volleyball athlete, I was used to a more competitive environment, but at the Y, the focus was different. Fun, encouragement, and inclusion mattered more than winning. Through that relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, some of my closest local friendships were formed. 

Wednesday nights now represent much more than recreation. Former athletes rediscover the excitement of diving and spiking on the court, while newcomers gain confidence in a supportive environment centered on play and inclusion. Tibbetts, who says he was “never really into sports in school,” enjoys volleyball because it is “really fun to have a physical activity that I’m interested in and motivated to improve in.” 

The consistency of the program gives people a reason to stay active during Maine’s long, dark winters while also offering something equally important: connection. Over time, those relationships have extended well beyond the YMCA’s Russell Gymnasium. Several volleyball friends now gather regularly for dinner and card games, and Murray speaks highly of the people he has met through volleyball and the friendships that have grown from the program. 

If you pass the Y on a Wednesday night and see the lights glowing in the gym, there is more happening inside than bumping, setting, and spiking. Throughout the summer, there will be people laughing, learning, showing up for one another, and finding community one serve at a time. Anyone is welcome to join the fun.