Red Devils prepare for upcoming 2013 volleyball season

Photo By Gregory Mitchell | Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils varsity head volleyball coach Tony San Nicoles discusses offensive and defensive tactics with players during a recent practice in the Nile C. Kinnick gym, Aug. 27. (Photo by Greg Mitchell)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

09.06.2013

Courtesy Story

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Afghanistan - For those who are unaware, the Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils girls volleyball program has consistently fielded powerfully contentious teams throughout the years, going 106-3 in the last four regular seasons, with six straight Department of Defense Dependent Schools Japan titles and at least a share of three of the last four Kanto Plain crowns.

With a new core of young, up and coming players, the team is currently preparing for the upcoming volleyball season under the supervision of new head coach Tony San Nicolas, who last season served as the junior varsity coach. Nicolas takes over the reigns of the varsity team after the departure of former head coach, Al Garrido.

“Our team goals are basically to make sure that we take care of the ball on our side. Our biggest thing is ball control; I think if we establish ourselves defensively, that will obviously set us up for offense. We have hitters that can put the ball away; we just need to allow them the opportunity to do so by getting in position to play good defense.”

The upcoming season promises to be a new challenge for San Nicolas and his staff, due to having to contend with literally an entirely new squad, since the departures of star players such as Jerimae Capuyan and Mashiya McKinney.

“We have actually only one returning starter, but three total in terms of varsity starters, but they served more so as roll players,” said San Nicolas. “We lost a strong core group of this team to graduation, particularly our starting setter, our starting outside hitter, as well as our middle blocker. Even still, I am confident about this group because they get along with each other. That is a challenge in itself because you have to make sure they don’t get too comfortable with each other and that they are always competing with one another.”

Returning players are optimistic about their potential as a team.

“I feel this team needs to work on perfection because we have strong key players at each position,” said senior right side and middle blocker Courtney Bacon. “But in the end, only perfect practice will produce perfect play.”

In San Nicolas eyes, the parents’ support of the team has been an important part of the success of the schools’ teams.

“Just in the couple of years that I have been here, you can definitely see the parents support,” said San Nicolas. “The biggest thing to make sure is that we have them here at practice; just that in itself allows us to do whatever we need to do. I also thank the parents for keeping them on point in terms of academics. Obviously trying to juggle sports and school is very difficult so, by parents making sure these kids are on top of their studies helps us out a lot so that we don’t loose them.”

Nile C. Kinnick’s first game of the season will be against Mathew C. Perry High, Sept. 6, at Iwakuni Base.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2013
• Date Posted: 09.25.2013 03:02
• Story ID: 114216
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP