This year's volleyball season was phenomenal, at least for me. We started the season roughly 2 months ago and I can say that our team has improved both individually and as a team, on and off the court. Last week was my last ISAC Volleyball tournament, and even if we missed the gold medal by a hair, I still think it was a great tournament, and one that I will remember for the rest of my life (although I am still contemplating whether or not this will benefit me)
At the start of the season, I set up some goals for myself which were if I'm not mistaken to vary my setting techniques, improve my leadership and communication, and strengthen relationships with my teammates (which includes setting a good example for the younger ones who will take my place when i graduate). Although I had some minor setbacks throughout the season such as, not moving quick enough, not using my legs when I set, or having minor arguments with one of my teammates, I managed (I think) to clean it all up towards the end of the season, especially during the ISAC tournament. I think my setting was inconsistent for the first part of the season, with my setting being alright in Hong Kong, then going down on a slump for a few weeks in LSMS, then having a few good games at home, then eventually reaching the level that I wanted to get to by ISAC. This year we emphasized less on high-risk "shoot" sets, onto "stack" plays. I also noticed that this year, I did a lot more back sets than last year. I think accomplished my goal for setting by ISAC, especially during the last few games of the tournament as I was able to make better decisions, and set the ball at the right height and even sneaking in a couple of "jump-sets" during the games. Ths year, William and I were also voted as captains. This presented a big responsibility for William and myself, and occasionally we would lack some initiative and leadership when our team is not doing so well, but for the most part, I believe that I did my part as a captain, making sure everyone was doing their part, making sure that I know the ins and outs of the team regarding conflicts and drama and all that, and I believe that I encouraged more than discouraged my teammates. Lastly, I believe that I did my part in influencing Brian, potentially next year's setter, in decision making, aggressiveness, and leadership and communicating skills on the court. I know that I did my part in preparing Brian for next year's season and I hope he does as well or better than me in the future. I also roomed with him during ISAC, which gave us a chance to connect in other ways and strengthen our friendship. Other things such the tournament in Hong Kong, as well as LSMS trips and the ISAC tournament were opportunities that did bring me closer to my teammates when we're playing on the court as well as times when we were just hanging around and having fun, making jokes and playing games with each other. I do believe that I have gained the respect of my teammates as a captain and as a friend, and vice versa which has made me enjoy the sport even more than just the game itself, and I believe being the captain has set me up to build better relationships with some of my teammates such as Ji Woo or John An who I didn't really get the chance to get close with the year before.
ISAC Volleyball Tournament 2011
ISAC Volleyball 2011 was a blast. From day one the team was looking forward to a great tournament. I saw some old faces from last year, and some new ones and I was anxious to see the level competition in this year's tournament. My confidence for our team was high, and I felt ready. On the first day of the tournament, we had 3 games against, CIS, BSM and FAM. We played well in all 3 games, ending the first day with a 3-0 record without losing a set. We had one or two nerve-wracking sets, but we managed to pull ourselves together to recieve, set, and finally spike the ball to victory. It was a tiring first day. The second day, we only had 2 games, but it was a tough one, since we played Baguio (our rival) in the afternoon. The first game was against SISC. We played well since the other team could not block, or hit hard consistently since they were mostly 13 or 14 year olds from my observations. Because the opponent was less threatening in this game, I even got to play as a hitter, which I really, really, REALLY enjoyed. I managed to get 3 kills, with one cross-court hit. It was a glorious moment for me. Everyone else played really well and we used this game to gain our confidence for the next game. At around 1pm, we had our game with Brent Baguio. Suddenly things changed. Until this point, we were cruising through the tournament, but now we have a bigger challenge ahead of us. I met Kenneth Taguiba (Baguio's setter) in the bathroom before the game and he said "Let's make it nice." This really stuck in my head and I really wanted to do what he said, "make it nice." After the blow of the whistle, the game started. Baguio was a loud team, they talked a lot, celebrated with every point, and they try to go for every ball. Although we were ahead for most of the first set, we eventually let Baguio catch up and they beat us. The second set was the same. In this game, the team worked really well at first, and we were also loud on the court, but when we started losing I can see the fear and nervousness in my teammates eyes, and in some moments, even myself, making me miss a crucial serve towards the end of the 2nd set. This was something that needed to be changed before we faced them again. It was a close fight, but we lost both sets. The next day, we played against the host team, Brent Manila. I think in this game, our team sort of underestimated the other team, and I didn't play my best game as well. They got as close as 20-25 in the first set, but luckily, we were able to have a better 2nd set, which moved our team to the semi finals. We played the semi finals in the afternoon against BSM. They were different in our second encounter with them, they seemed more confident, louder and even a little intimidating. They were ahead at first, but we quickly took the lead after a time-out and eventually won the first set. The second set, we played a much better game and eventually won the match 2 sets to none. We made it. We were in the finals again, but this year we knew we were the better team and we knew we could take the championship. My mindset took a big shift after we made the finals, and even more so when it was nearing game time. We were supportive of our girl's team who lost in the finals against Brent Manila, but I wanted to win it for them, for my teammates, for my coaches, for my school, and for myself. Things got serious for me in the finals, and I was in deep focus before the game started. After the shaking of hands, the big "Razorbacks" cheer, some motivational words and advice from my coaches, and the blow of the whistle, it was time to start the game. In the first set, Baguio started off with the lead, but then we quickly regrouped after a timeout and eventually took a steady lead until the final points of the set (as usual), with Baguio taking the set at 25-23. The second set was different, the whole atmosphere of our team changed, and it seemed like our loss in the first set, drove us to fight harder and push ourselves further in the second set. There was even one point in time where I hit the ball after the whistle was blown out of excitement. During the time out, my coach (Mr T) told me some words of advice that he later repeated after our game, which I believe is the quote that has affected me the most out of the whole season. Some of my teammates caught on fire, like Cyron who was hitting his best in this set out of the whole season. I was FIRED UP and we took the set convincingly at 25-16 (if I'm not mistaken) and the best part was, we were all having FUN. Before we started the 3rd set, the captains, Kenneth (from Baguio) and myself had to do the coin toss again to decide on ball possession and court. As he walked toward the referee and myself, I could see the look of despair on his face, as if he already lost. This made me stronger and motivated me more to end this game faster. We started the 3rd set with the same energy as the 2nd set, with spectacular plays and unbelievable saves (especially one from Milo, our libero). I was getting more and more fired up, but at the same time I could feel myself tiring. When score was 22-17, and I could picture myself holding the 1st place trophy, pulling up the banners that said "ISAC Boys Volleyball Champions 2011" and time was going really slow. Our coach called the last time out of the game, and he was fired up as well. He wanted us to keep playing the way we were playing and to finish the game. The front row at this point were all the seniors in the team: Jack, William and myself. I was determined for victory. But everything seemed to go so fast after that; missed serves, wrong sets, holding back on hits and everything seemed to be going wrong. However, I still didn't feel like we were going to lose when the score was tied again at 24 a piece. Unfortunately, our team followed that with another missed serve, and a soft spike which ended up being blocked ending the match at 26-24 in Brent Baguio's favor. We had just lost the finals. When the final whistle blew, I felt like I was sinking into quicksand. I felt weak and frustrated and my heart sank, but I was still the captain and had to lead by example. We shook hands with the "champions" and that was it. After a while, it still hasn't sunk in that we had just lost the game despite a 22-17 lead, and I kept asking myself, "Did that just happen? Did we just lose the finals again?" It was a very confusing moment for me, but I knew sooner or later I had to accept it. When I saw my best friend, and teammate, William Ou, tear up towards me, I felt like crying with him. It was our last volleyball game and we lost, but at the same time I was trying to look at the positive side. "Second place isn't so bad." and plus, we played the best game of volleyball as a team of the whole season, and I believe I played my best game as a setter for the team. At that point, I realized that how much I love the game of volleyball, how it has affected my life in many ways, and has made me grow as a person. (I'll elaborate on that later) During the banquet, our coach started asking me if I was okay, and then he gave me some words that stood out that in a way summarized my role in the game of volleyball, and at the same time serves a reminder for everything that I do in life. He said, "never lose control." I believe those words have been my goal throughout my endeavors with the game of volleyball, although I haven't really realized it until that point and it's something that I should always think of with other aspects of my life and my priorities, such as school, my family (presently and the future), my relationships, my career in the future, and the list goes on. Volleyball has taught me many lessons and skills, both physically, and mentally. I've developed my skills as a setter, but I've also learned to follow instructions, accept and experience failures (in this case more than enough of it), build close relationships with people, and to be responsible and role model to other people, and lastly, to "never lose control". I will miss playing with this team and I will remember my experiences and apply what I have learned for the rest of my life. Looking on the bright side, I still got ISAC soccer and basketball coming up which gives me a chance for redemption! :)
