Christian High School Volleyball Season Preview

As the new school year begins, the Christian High School volleyball team is gearing up for another demanding season. With a young and mostly inexperienced roster, Coach John Park has set ambitious goals for the team, including winning all home games, claiming the top spot in the league, and ultimately qualifying for the CIF tournament. But with only one senior, Simon Benson, leading the way, the team’s success will largely depend on how quickly their young players can develop and adapt to the game. In this article, we will dive into the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and Coach Park’s coaching philosophy that will guide them through the ups and downs of the season. Coach Park has identified inconsistency, inexperience, and lack of communication as potential challenges for the team this year. He also acknowledges the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie, and plans to foster this through team bonding activities such as BBQs and player-planned practices. These efforts will not only help the players build crucial relationships but also develop the necessary trust and understanding on the court. When asked about his coaching style, Coach Park emphasizes the need for patience with this young group. This season will look different from previous years, as the majority of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores. Coach Park admits that he will have to adapt his coaching style to fit the needs and learning styles of his players. However, his main focus remains on helping his players develop proper technique, believing that it will ultimately save them when they are out of system. The mental aspect of the game is equally important for this young team. Coach Park stresses the phrase “mindset dictates outcome” to remind his players that their mindset and attitude will directly impact their performance. The team’s training and conditioning program has also been adjusted, with a heavier focus on core and push up exercises as opposed to olympic lifts and speed and agility drills. So who are the players to watch this season? Jack Swanson, a two-year starter at outside hitter, is expected to step up as a leader on the court. Mckade Mathson has taken on the role of defensive specialist, and John Mark Herbert, Hudson Mcfarlane, and Huy Pham are all freshmen who are working into playing time at the net. While the strength of the team lies in their physical abilities, Coach Park believes that they just need to realize that they are capable of more than they think.