Campolindo High School Volleyball Season Preview

With the start of a new volleyball season, the Campolindo High School team is gearing up for an exciting and competitive season. I sat down with Coach Dave Chen to get a preview of the team and their plans for the upcoming season. Coach Chen has been with the Campolindo team for several years now and has seen the growth and development of some exceptional players. As with any team, there are goals set for the season and for Coach Chen and his team, their ultimate goal is to make a late playoff run. However, what sets this team apart is their focus on allowing themselves the flexibility to be aggressive and play freely in high-pressure situations. The key to their success will be their ability to remain calm and composed in critical moments, and this is something that the team has been working on in their training. One of the biggest strengths of the team is their returning players. Will Marusich, Will Balassi, and Graham Volk are three key players that have been with the team for multiple years now. Their leadership and experience make them crucial to the team's success. Marusich and Volk are four-year varsity returners, and Balassi was one of the captains from last year. Their ability to guide and mentor the younger players on the team will be a vital factor in the team's success. While the returning players bring a wealth of experience to the team, there are also some new players who are expected to make an immediate impact. Coach Chen believes that these new players will bring a fresh energy and clinical skills to the team, and their presence will add depth to the team's roster. Team captains play a crucial role in leading the team on and off the court. When it comes to selecting captains, Coach Chen looks for players who possess a selfless quality, putting the team first and nurturing a culture of inclusivity. The captain's role is to facilitate success and create a strong sense of camaraderie within the team. Building team chemistry and camaraderie is a top priority for Coach Chen. He emphasizes the importance of healthy interactions and connections between players, not just on the court but also off the court. This leads to honest and open communication, which is essential in nurturing trust and understanding between players and coaches. Motivation plays a big role in pushing players to reach their full potential. Coach Chen believes that staying healthy and catching up to a baseline level of physicality is important for the team.