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Record: 18-13 (8-4), 3rd Place KAIAC Season and Tournament, 4th Place ACSC
(top row left to right) Coach Mark Heil, Hyerin Park, May Lee, Yoonjung Chang, Rosse Han, Kasey Kim, Hana Ikeda, Coach Malia Heil
(bottom row left to right) Chris Lee (manager), Suyoung Yang, Jessica Byun, Alicia Kim, Nicole Palmer, Michelle Kim, Jessica Jun, Yuri Kong (manager)
Season Summary
With a young team (no seniors), the girls started out thinking they had another building year ahead. Of course, they were thankful and proud to say they underestimated the power of unity. The twelve girls chosen to represent the Lady Guardians in varsity volleyball bonded quickly and proved that synergy not only wins games but also improves players all around: athletically, emotionally, academically, and spiritually.
The first year with the ACSC tournament (in Bangkok, Thailand) proved more of a team-building experience than a showcase of their skills. The time together in a foreign country (thankfully "home" to the coaches) and the friendships started with other Christian international schools were certainly valuable. Still, they came away with a new knowledge of how Southeast Asian schools play the sport and how to better prepare to meet them next year. The team came in fourth place.
Two games in the regular season showed incredible volleyball. When playing SFS away, the game went to 5 long sets. However, unlike the heartbreaking loss they felt last year, this time, the team pulled together for an exhilarating win. Likewise, the TCIS game at home was pivotal in demonstrating how the team overcame its own obstacles, drawing on that team synergy, to accomplish the seeming impossible. In the fifth set, the team was down 11-14 but played perfectly to rally 5 points in a row, finishing the set at 16-14.
They began the season with several friendly wins, including SAHS at home. As the weeks continued, strategies formed, permanent line-ups emerged, and trust deepened. The only losses came when facing high talent (DAHS) and when battling their own mistakes (TCIS, OAHS). They encouraged each other to remember that they ultimately play themselves each time--trusting the system, executing the strategies, encouraging each other, and putting their best efforts on the court.
Lastly, the KAIAC tournament was hosted at YISS, and the team wore that responsibility well--showing hospitality, respect, and friendliness. The first day was awesome with 2 sweeps (3-0) against OAHS and TCIS. The second day was when they faced on-fire SFS and top-seeded DAHS, both to whom they lost. Still, they proudly placed third place, and also earned additional awards that highlight the core of their success this year. Together, the team won the Sportsmanship Award. Hana Ikeda, the floor captain, won "Best Setter" of the tournament. And the coaching team of Mark and Malia Heil, were recognized as "Coach of the Year" for the second year in a row.
These awards summarize why the team excelled this year. They had a committed, all-in coach, a talented, dependable setter, and twelve girls who were in it for the team and not for themselves. They were truly "one mind, one voice."
Honors
All Conference: Hana Ikeda
All Tournament: Hana Ikeda
KAIAC Best Setter: Hana Ikeda
All ACSC: Suyoung Yang, Hyerin Park, Hana Ikeda
ACSC MVP: Hana Ikeda
Season Leaders
*Red indicates a team season record
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