Josiah Trautman '26 – Boys Volleyball Athlete Profile

When a bike accident in eighth grade forced Orange Lutheran senior Josiah Trautman to step away from soccer after more than a decade, he found an unexpected new home on the volleyball court and never looked back.

After arriving at OLu as a freshman, Trautman was invited by a friend to an open gym volleyball session. That experience led him to join a fall club team, where he developed his skills and eventually earned a place on the Lancers' varsity roster that spring.

In volleyball, Trautman has found the most joy he's ever experienced in playing sports.

"I just love how freeing it is," says Trautman of volleyball. "Each point matters, but right after that point is over, you have to focus on the next point. You get in this rhythm of focusing on the moment, and you have to be really present or else you're not going to be able to compete well. It's a good escape for me. It's my happy place."

Trautman spent his first three years in the program as a middle blocker, but now in his senior season, he is making the switch to outside hitter, a move that comes with challenge and more responsibility.

"Outside (hitter) is more of a leadership role, so I feel like it was good for me to step into that," says Trautman. "I've always tried to listen to everything the coaches have said, since I've been new to the sport. So for the last three years, I've tried to absorb as much information as possible. I feel like that made the switch a little easier."

Last spring, the Lancers earned a trip to the CIF championship game where they fell short, so Trautman's goal this season is to win the title. As a captain of a younger roster this year, he is focused on investing in the relationships and needs of each individual player.

"Josiah is a player who plays with passion," says OLu boys volleyball head coach Henry Valiente. "He is always willing to step into any position to help the team succeed. He brings energy and grit into every match and shows heart, hustle, and a true team-first mindset. If you look up the word competitor, you would see a picture of him."

As part of the Trinity League, Trautman has enjoyed the level of competition he has experienced in playing OLu volleyball, and he is grateful to represent the Lancers and his faith on the court.

"I've always wanted to compete against the best, because I feel like that's the best way to get better," says Trautman. "If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best… And having the cross on my back, too. I know what I'm playing for."

Some of Trautman's favorite memories in the sport have been traveling to Hawaii to compete, as well as the support he's received from the coaching staff.

"My coaches, they're amazing," says Trautman. "The Hawaiian coaching staff is such a close family. They're all like my second set of parents… And all of our Hawaii tournaments have been so fun. Getting to play against that competition in that environment has been great."

Trautman's rapid rise in the sport has earned him the opportunity to continue his volleyball career at Vanguard University where he will study business communications. He considers his coaches and his family, especially his father, to be his most influential role models. And he will continue to use the gifts he's been given as a reflection of his faith.

"I know that God gave me the abilities that I have so I can use them to demonstrate his power, his witness, and as a form of worship," says Trautman. "I've been praying before games for him to give me strength to show what he can do and use it for his glory."

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Players Mentioned

#13 Josiah Trautman: OH; 6' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#13 Josiah Trautman
: 6' 5"; Senior
: OH

Players Mentioned

#13 Josiah Trautman

Players Mentioned

#13 Josiah Trautman