Campolindo High School Volleyball 2024 Season Preview (CA)

As the start of the new school year approaches, excitement is building at Campolindo High School. The students are gearing up for classes and sports teams are preparing for their upcoming seasons. Amongst these teams is the Campolindo High School volleyball team, led by Coach Dave Chen. Coach Chen has been coaching the team for several years now and has seen their ups and downs. As we caught up with him for a preview of this year's team, he shared his thoughts on their goals, leadership, team dynamics, and more. Coach Chen began by sharing the team's big goals for the season. "Our big goals are always to try and make a late playoff run," he stated. This is a common goal for any high school team, but what sets Coach Chen and his team apart is their focus on maintaining flexibility and playing freely in high-pressure situations. This approach allows the team to be aggressive and make quick decisions when it matters most. When asked about the key players to watch this season, Coach Chen named Will Marusich, Will Balassi, and Graham Volk. These three players bring not only talent, but also leadership and experience to the team. Marusich and Volk are four-year varsity returners, while Balassi was one of their captains last year. Coach Chen emphasized that leadership and experience play a huge role in the team's success. Coach Chen also stressed the importance of selecting the right leaders and captains for the team. "Over the years, selecting the right leadership and captains is almost as important, if not more so, than having the right athletes playing in the right positions," he explained. A team captain needs to have a selfless quality, putting the team first and finding ways to support and help their teammates succeed. They also play a crucial role in fostering a culture of inclusivity and healthy communication among the team. Speaking of communication, Coach Chen highlighted the significance of interactions and connections among the players. "Keeping things open and honest as much as possible helps the team to grow," he shared. This emphasis on communication allows for healthy conversations between players, as well as between players and coaches. By building strong relationships and a supportive environment, the team can thrive both on and off the court. As with any sport, staying physically healthy is key to success. Coach Chen emphasized that staying healthy and getting everyone up to a baseline level of physicality is crucial.