This October marked the end of another fall season for volleyball, cross-country and tennis athletes. The varsity volleyball teams finished with both the varsity boys and girls teams placing third in the KAIAC tournament. The cross-country team also showed positive ends with the varsity boys team placing third at the KAIAC tournament. Varsity girls and boys tennis teams also concluded their season on a high note, with both teams once again winning the Association of International Schools in Asia Championship.
“In the beginning, we had problems with focusing on the game and having the right mental approach,” said Ivan Atanaskovic, varsity boys volleyball team coach. “We had the skills, but we couldn’t play to our full potential in the first few conference games.”
According to Kyle Bae (12), varsity boys volleyball player, all team members performed better during the last several conference games and the KAIAC tournament, held at Asia Pacific International School on Oct. 25, where the boys defeated APIS with a set score of 3-2 and placed third.
“I admit we didn’t exactly have the best start,” Kyle said. “We eventually recognized the problem was a lack of teamwork and unity and so we worked on improving our communication skills. Through this, we were also able to realize what it meant to play as a team. Even though we didn’t have the best performance, we definitely made a lot of progress.”
The varsity girls volleyball team showed consistent results in their conference games and finished the season strongly, placing second in the conference and third at the KAIAC tournament, which was also held on Oct. 25 at Chadwick International School.
“Our team this year did a really good job of working together as a team,” said Cheryl Lambie, varsity girls volleyball coach. “Even when they were down in a game, they were able to support each other and bring each other back up.”
This season, changes implemented by the cross-country team to improve strength and endurance were reflected in the team’s results. Initiated as a result of suggestions from coaches and team captains, the team started a new training system, which was a combination of cross-fit and other sports such as swimming. Although the varsity girls team did not place, the varsity boys team placed third in the KAIAC tournament, which was an improvement from last year’s results.
“With Coach Iga on the cross-country team, we had systematic practices in which people could develop both an endurance for running and foundation for muscles,” said Brandon Ra (11), boys varsity cross-country athlete. “Through these practices, I improved my time and I think other runners did as well.”
The tennis teams were also able to end its season strongly. Both the boys and girls teams placed first in the AISA tournaments, which were held in Osaka. Despite the departure of many of the seniors, the team concluded the season with the girls team being undefeated and the boys varsity team only losing to Seoul Foreign School.
“I think we did a great job as a team,” said Amy Thompson, varsity boys tennis coach. “With the departure of the seniors last year, we lost many of our doubles players. However, the new freshmen were able to quickly learn to work together. We were just overall very supportive to each other and I think everything worked out very well.”