Mental Preparation Is Key For Charger Girl’s Volleyball
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usFor all the characteristics that make up a good volleyball team, Pearl City girls coach Stephanie Shigemasa knows it all begins with the right mind-set.
“It’s the mental aspect that we have to work on,” says Shigemasa. “We don’t excel in any one area. What we’re trying to do is get our kids to always be ready to play - to have that determination and drive to win every game. That’s what we’re working on now.”
Pearl City, who took a 5-2 record into the weekend, returns to action at 6 p.m. Thursday with a key match at Nanakuli. As they hit the stretch run of their Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division schedule, the Chargers will be looking to position themselves for a good seed for the upcoming post-season. But more than that, Shigemasa is striving to get her team to play up to their potential when it counts the most.
“Hopefully, we haven’t peaked yet, or we’re in trouble,” Shigemasa laughed. “I think we’re on schedule. We’re hoping we’ll play our best volleyball during playoff time.
“Consistency is a big thing with us,” she added. “We want to play the best volleyball every day that we can play. Right now, we’re playing with consistency in all aspects, but there’s always room for improvement. Every day we see things we can fix . The kids have a really good attitude, and they know where they want to be at the end. We have some big matches left, but they’re working hard to get there.”
Through the midway point of their regular season, senior leadership has paid big dividends for the Chargers, who are led by veterans outside hitter/middle blocker Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia, outside hitter Deena Tupinio, setter Katherine Markel and libero Tiani Alatini.
“Their cohesiveness as a team is our strength,” Shigemasa said. “They’re very team-oriented, and they have the right attitude. Jazmin is playing extremely well.
Deena has been out with an injury, but she returned to practice last week. Katherine has been consistent, and Tiani’s also stepped up. They all help to keep us focused.”
The Chargers beat Thursday’s opponent Nanakuli (25-9, 23-25, 25-16) in the first match between the teams Sept. 12, but Shigemasa is expecting a tougher match this time around, especially with the game being on the road.
“(We’re stressing) not to take them lightly,” Shigemasa said of the Golden Hawks. “We tend to have a let-down at times. Some days we’re really good, and then there are some days when we struggle. They play good volleyball there (at Nanakuli). They have athletic girls on their team, and they keep the ball in play (well). Our serving and our defense have to be at our best against them.”
Defense, to date, has been the Chargers’ forte.
“We’re more defensive-minded,” Shigemasa said.“We’re not an overpowering hitting team; it’s our defense and serving that have helped us. We have some girls who can mix up their serves, and that’s something that can take a good team out of their rhythm.”
In addition to steady play from its seniors, Shigemasa also praised the play of sophomore Tiana Inong, one of the team’s top servers.
“She has a jump floater with a lot of movement to it,” Shigemasa said. “It’s a tough serve (to combat) that she has.”
Following Thursday’s game at Nanakuli, the Chargers close out the regular season with matches against Aiea (Oct. 10 at home) and Waipahu (Oct. 12 away). The OIA playoffs will take place Oct. 19-Nov. 2. The Nissan Girls’ Division I Volleyball State Championships are set to run Nov. 8-11.
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