Although in volleyball, offensive players, such as the middle and outsides, are given the most credit for scoring points, assists from the setter and ups from the defensive players act as the foundation for the rhythmic “pass, set and kill” within a rally.

The Tribune interviewed senior David Kim, the men’s varsity volleyball setter and libero.

Unlike most athletes, Kim admitted that he did not initially have the love for the sport.

He explained, “My first experience with volleyball was tough … but as I got to get more touches and experience, I found out that I wanted to play volleyball during my freshmen year.”

Kim understands how difficult it is for novice volleyball players to adjust to the expectations of the coach and team members. Some might not have a high “volleyball IQ”, as they have only been playing for a year or two.

Therefore, Kim, who has had four years of experience playing volleyball, believes that his role in the team is to “lead others and help them understand more about the game.”

Often, sports act as outlets for athletes from their daily lives. Kim discussed how he enjoys volleyball because it allows him to alleviate stress.

“[Volleyball] helps me keep my mind off of things like academics,” he said. “It’s difficult to balance all volleyball, academics and extracurricular activities at the same time, but all I had to do was utilize my time better and do things the quickest and best way possible.”

Kim, like many other Dougherty Valley students, had to sacrifice sleep in order to fulfil his responsibilities.

Although Kim does not intend to play college volleyball, he will continue to play as a hobby. He feels that volleyball aids in developing skills that can be applied outside of the court. Such skills include coordination and having a strong mentality.

He also mentioned how promoting positive energy is essential, as harsh criticisms can hurt more than help.

“It’s more important to point out people’s mistakes, but it is much more important to fix them,” Kim advised.