Chargers Get In Frame Of Mind For Volleyball Season
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usPearl City boys volleyball coach Bryson Martin can be counted among those coaches who believe peak performance begins in one’s mind.
With seven seniors back and the parts seemingly in place for another strong run in the OIA this spring, the third-year coach is fine-tuning his team’s mental approach.
“It’s the mentality that you bring into the game that determines how you’re going to play,” said Martin, who is one of the most decorated players in the Chargers’ proud history, having played on three OIA championship teams under coaches Reid Shigemasa (in 1998 and ‘99) and Brad Camilla (1996). “It (mental preparation) doesn’t start with the whistle (on game day), but the day before the game, and all the way up until the (start of the) game. We hope these kids understand that the attitude you have sets the mood for a game. The seniors have to realize that this is their best chance.”
That Martin’s current team resembles some of his own teams in stature is ironic. Indeed, small lineups never deterred Pearl City in Martin’s own playing days.
“As I think back, we never had the biggest teams or the most athletic teams, but we found a way to win three titles,” he said.“I was one of the tallest at 6 feet, and I was setting for guys who were 5-4 and 5-5 on the outside. We’re not that big, but, hopefully, we can win on heart.”
The Chargers were to begin their season Tuesday playing Waianae and Radford in a double-header. They are currently in the midst of a seven-day layoff before next Tuesday’s double-header at Mililani, where they’ll play the host Trojans as well as Waipahu.
A year ago, Pearl City cruised through the season with a 10-2 mark en route to a West title before an upset in the first round of the OIA playoffs halted their momentum. They rebounded in the consolation round to earn a state tournament berth and eventually finished 12-5 overall.
“Right now, we have a lot of kids who have played with each other for the past three years. Sophomores are now seniors, and freshmen are now juniors. They have a lot of experience, and they know each other’s styles, so there are no excuses.”
Leading the way are senior outside hitter Jacob Nieves and sophomore libero Camren Nebri. Both logged a lot of playing time a year ago and are likely to see their roles expand this time around.
“Camren is confident -he has the attitude of a senior instead of a sophomore,” Martin said. “He’s a fundamentally skilled, all-around player. He knows the sport - he’s played it his whole life - and nothing matters to him when he’s on the court. He’s strictly about doing his job.
“Jacob has had a couple of years where he didn’t get that much time on the court, but he’s stepped up and improved a lot. I told him his time would come, and now as a senior he looks more ready than last year.”
As in past years, defense figures to be the Chargers’ forte, according to Martin. “Defense will probably prevail as our key. Our offense is strong, but to win games, we’ll have to pick up the balls the other team gives us.”
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