Jets varsity volleyball sparred against local rival Daegu Middle High School (DMHS) at the Jetnasium on Sept. 12. Last year DMHS lacked a boys’ team due to a schedule conflict – most joined the school’s American football squad. This fall, a varsity volleyball team assembled to play against the Jets. 

DIS looked strong heading into the friendly. With an early season practice game against Daegu Jeil High School, they stacked up experience to get into a groove. 

A few DIS students also got a jump-start due to scrimmages against DMHS held during open gym at the military base. They now turn from friends to foes as they face each other in a formal match. 

YiManuel Cortez (number 9), varsity outside, said, “I have always wondered how it would like to be to see them play (in a match)…There are kids from DMHS that play there (at open gym) and I would look at them play and there are a few that are not that bad so I would try to play against them and see how they play.”

The addition of coach Willette boosted development. The extra supervisor gives tips on form inside the weight room and helps expedite the training process. 

Boys volleyball coach and athletic director Mr. Bergan said, “One thing we’ve been able to do with two people is use the weight room and so one of us will take about half the kids into the weight room the other has the other kids on the court and then we switch half way through and that’s been able to give more space and more reps for individuals.”

Varsity boys set the tone from the first set. They took advantage of free balls and displayed excellent passes into flawless sets and electric smashes. They won all three sets with scores of 25:13 (set 1), 25:19 (set 2), and 25:15 (set 3) and finally came out on top for the first time since the implementation of the friendlies for all three seasons of sports (volleyball, basketball, and soccer).

Compared to last year’s absent friendly, September’s scrimmage proved to be a valuable experience for both Daegu squads. Kayden San Nicolas (number 8), captain of the DMHS varsity team, said, “We just wanted to come out here and have fun. Everyone is learning, it’s everyone’s first year too as well. It was good competition, everyone’s learning, we’re improving. You guys are good comp.”

Both teams look forward to the next friendly hosted at the base on Monday, Oct. 7th. The Jets show rapid growth as practices continue in hopes of clenching the coveted trophies for upcoming tournaments. 

Coach Bergan said, “I think our goal is to of course be competitive in every match, we would love to three-peat for SKAC/SKAIS and then to go down and again be competitive in KISAC.”

Gallery • 9 Photos

Selina Son

Right Justin Son(number 25) reaches for ball to slam it down. His tall frame allows him to enter air space unguardable by other blockers.