The elementary volleyball teams departed to Atherton International School (AIS) for the SKAIS divisionals on Feb. 15. The competition provided opportunities for practice and improvement in a friendly atmosphere. Though all athletes maintained their competitive spirit, the tourney remained relaxed and enjoyable as players focused on fundamentals and teamwork. The teams supported each other, and athletes walked away with valuable experience.
Geared to aid the young players at their first tournament of the year, rules were modified to maximize teamwork, practice, and sportsmanship. “For the first five minutes of the 15 minute game, the points were not counted, which gave me a chance to get used to the other teams. After that we played the actual game with points for 10 minutes. I liked this because I could learn a lot more with the new rules in my games, which would help us win in the championship game,” said Gio Park, a fifth grade boys’ A team starter.
Coaches also welcomed the amendment to the rules, as they recognized the importance of the learning process and noted the progress made after each match. “The first tournament was useful because it let us know the skill level of the other teams and students who competed,” elementary volleyball coach Ms. Medina said.
She highlighted the benefit of gaining valuable court time for divisionals at the same court they will return to for finals. “Students were also able to practice on the courts that would be used for the finals at AIS, simulating a real game scenario where they played for points during a certain amount of time,” said Ms. Medina.
This opportunity allowed the athletes to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses, and gave them the chance to refine their skills and strategize for the upcoming championships. “Our team learned that we need to call the ball more, so we are going to work on this for the finals,” said Stella Park, a fifth-grade starter on the girls’ A team, committed to better communication with her teammates.
DIS made a strong impression at the tournament and established themselves as tough contenders for the finals on Feb. 27. Both teams are fully committed to their training and approach each practice with focus as they aim to deliver their best performance yet and earn the top spot.
