2014-15

Season Summary

Climactic. The 2014 volleyball season was a culmination of 4 years of sweat, stats, and sore muscles. But it wasn’t only a climax on the court. The season also reaped the gradual cultivation of team synergy--a togetherness that pulled all their strengths into an unbreakable force. How did they become “one mind” and “one voice”? Strong, dedicated leadership. Mutual trust. And everyday memories shared and treasured.

The 2014-15 season proved how unity wins tournaments. The team had widespread talents--everyone playing at least two different positions on the court. With numerous injuries early on, the rotations kept switching, but the girls took the mental challenge and remained flexible and teachable--focusing on the team rather than on individual preference.

Still, the first half of the KAIAC conference didn't go as hoped. With a team of veterans, much was expected, yet losses came reeling in--not from lack of talent but from overconfidence. After a heartbreaking fall at SAHS, Coach Heil sat the team down for a regrouping, and the strategy changed. Instead of assuming victories, they needed to return to the basics--both physically and mentally. The team began to build up the right kind of confidence: invested trust.

Then came what was arguably the best night of VGV history. Pep Rally. Senior Night. SFS at home. The Lady Guardians took the court knowing they were facing the #1 team in KAIAC, yet the YISS team looked at each other with a new motivation to prove their togetherness, not their dominance. With every team member focused and on fire, the home team swept SFS in three sets, ending the season's streak of disappointments with an emotional win, complete with the end-game court rush of players, coaches, and fans.

It was with this ignited team pride and passion that the team boarded a flight for the Philippines to play in the ACSC tournament. Both on the courts of Faith Academy and on all the adventures around Manila, the team unity only deepened, raising the girls to the championship game for the first time in YISS history. Upon returning to Seoul, the girls continued to draw strength and synergy from the memories made at this tournament.

A week later, it was time for KAIAC. Away at TCIS, the team was tired. However, the determination to bring it all to the courts one last time was real, especially for the seniors. "I'm going to hit until my arm falls off," Captain Jessica Jun said, and her resolve led the rest of the team with a no-holding-back ferocity. They stormed the tournament, amazing even rival fans with their clean defense, setting, and attacking. Pooling all their strengths, they beat SFS in the championship game to bring home the first-ever first place trophy for varsity girls' volleyball.

The awards given that night (shown below) highlight talents that carried the team through a tough beginning, an epic win on Senior Night, an ACSC second-place title, and a KAIAC championship. Mark Heil was awarded "Coach of the Year" for the third year in a row. His dedication to this volleyball program shows most in the family-like character of the team. They won the gold with one mind and one voice.