The DIS boys’ varsity volleyball team showcased their talent, determination, and teamwork and brought home a trophy for the second year in a row. The boys’ junior varsity (JV) team also advanced to the semi-finals but fell short of their goal with a defeat against the International School of Busan (ISB).

The varsity boys stood unbeaten throughout the day. They started off with a win against ISB with scores of 26-24 and 25-10. “There were tough referee calls. I hit a really good line from the right side, but the referee wasn’t really paying attention. If you look back at the video and the clips, they just saw his reaction and called in and out. It was a pretty clutch point, but we did get through it,” middle blocker Colin Ji said. 

Naturally, the squad met their most difficult rivals in the final match against HIS. Nonetheless, the players pulled through and took both sets home, 25-23 and 25-23. “[In the finals,] Juan had a crazy Spider-Man save, and Aaron just [let it] hit the ground. I finished both of the last points of the two sets we beat against HIS, but the game-ender was kind of boring because I had to just push the ball over, and the other team’s defender just watched it land on their court. It was quite interesting but funny, too,” Ji said. 

The final match highlighted the day for the other schools in the tournament as well. “I really liked the last game. It was really competitive, really close. Even though we lost, it was still a great competition. Great game,” senior outside spiker Yoshi Collier from the Handong International School (HIS) boys’ varsity team said.

Best of all, everyone returned to DIS with advanced skills and pride in their hearts. “My favorite play would be blocking the other team’s ace because they’re a better player than me. I can admit that he was a very talented player. But being that talented and still getting blocked by a freshman — I could just see in his body language that he was really bummed out about it,” varsity freshman Haydn Mangione said.  

At the end of the long day, the athletic director of Busan Foreign School announced the all-star players of each school, and nominated DIS left-side hitter Ethan Rossmeisl. Plagued by the flu, Rossmeisl still shined at the tourney. A few days later, Colin Ji and Dylan Wang received all-tournament medals as well.

The team celebrated a successful day of self-improvement and brought home the first trophy of the 23-24 school year. The high school boys will travel to Jeju for the upcoming KISAC tournament from November 16-18 to aim for another victory.

Gallery • 11 Photos

Flora Chung

Middle blocker Haydn Mangione gasps in amazement after an amazing play. The crowd applauds in awe.