What’s your favorite part about being a coach at this school?
There’s so much that’s special. It really has to do with the athletes and their willingness to commit to the sport for such a short season. There’s a trend to force athletes to specialize and commit to one sport. I think the beauty of HPA is that we encourage students to be ‘student-athletes’ across the board and play up to three sports and contribute in different ways, not just to one.
How did you become a coach for HPA?
Right after college — back when I was still young and fit and wanted to play — I went back to my old high school on Oahu. I had played volleyball there and they hired me to be a coach right away. Then I decided to move to the Big Island and Mr. Perry hired me and I’ve been here ever since.
What should someone expect before joining a volleyball team like yours? Can you tell us about what a prospective student should think about before they walk on that court?
The team is very competitive and we want to play at the highest level. But they should also know that my focus is not just on winning, it is about core values. There’s a bigger picture that sports represent. It’s not just about winning and losing, but it’s about grit, it’s that tenacity, it’s learning how to work through adversity. Just the act of learning how to be a fair and honest competitor is the most worthwhile. Committing to doing something is the best that you possibly can for yourself and the team. And hopefully having fun is the biggest thing here. That’s the one beautiful thing about volleyball — it’s a sport you can play for a really long time. It’s also about nurturing the game too.
What are some of the core values you focus on?
Integrity is a big one for our team and accountability as teammates. That’s a big one. Showing up on time and taking care of ourselves the best we can. And respect, for each other and our competitors, is another.
One of the ideas I love to stress is that we need to bring out the best in each other. And we all have different strengths. How we work together really is going to impact our success on the court.
What is your favorite volleyball team outside of Hawaiʻi Prep?
I grew up watching the Rainbow Wahine play. They are definitely my favorite team. Primarily the women but I love the men as well. Dave Shoji, who was the women’s coach for years, was a good family friend. Essentially, I got to hear the ins and outs from him. Growing up, we didn’t have a professional sports team in Hawaii, so it was amazing watching the University of Hawaiʻi play. They had some national championship teams and some amazing local athletes who played for them.
What do you hope players take away from being a part of your program?
I hope they maximize their potential as a human and as an athlete. I hope they play continue their careers and carry lots of school pride. And I hope that when it’s all over, they look back and have really amazing memories and lifelong friendships that they can carry on to wherever they go next.
Who is someone that you’ve looked up to who has helped you propel yourself as a coach?
As a young coach, I was able to work with a handful of people at my high school when I returned. Many were successful athletes themselves and they pointed me in the right direction. Then when I moved to HPA, just having people like Mr. Perry was so impactful. We have some amazing coaches on this campus who really bring out the best in their athletes. Watching Mr. Lustik, Mr. Wawner, Mr. Noetzel, and even our new head coach for our girls basketball, Ms. Huebert-Sanchez, is inspirational. We are surrounded by an amazing group of coaches.
And lastly, can you summarize HPA girls volleyball in three words?
Three words — competitive, fun, and unforgettable!