The 2024 Varsity Volleyball Season at Farrington High School is echoed throughout the cheers of supporters and volleyball spikes. As the season is almost ending, reflecting on the successes and challenges faced by the team shows their growth, perseverance, and determination.
Kobe Tautaulatasi, a varsity team player, shared his perspective on the season. The season has been a rollercoaster of emotions and self-discovery for him. He reflects on the team’s progress, “The volleyball season has been going good.” Initially, Tautualatasi said “it was very unexpected, and I didn’t think of how this season was going to end up. As it comes to an end, I find that I’ve learned a lot about my abilities as an athlete and as a team player.”
Tautaulatasi noted that transitioning into varsity was a milestone. “I think choosing to try out for varsity was something that I truly believed I could achieve,” Tautaulatasi said. “Being on varsity has only increased my level of skill and play and I am extremely grateful for my coaches and teammates who have helped me along the way.”
However, the season has its challenges as Tautaulatasi reflects on the mental barriers he encountered. “There have been a lot of challenges but something that I find the most important was just my passion for the sport,” Tautaulatasi admitted “Mid-season, I was losing the drive and love that I once had for the sport due to my selfish mindset. I thought I wasn’t good enough and I didn’t deserve to be given such an opportunity.” Tautaulatasi remarked that through this journey, he was able to have a learning experience with the help of comrades and coaches, reflecting on his positive outlook.
Fuatino Manu, the Head Coach for the varsity team, shared her thoughts on the season. For the last five years, she was the Assistant Coach for junior varsity and this was her first year being the Head Coach for varsity. “So far as a coach, it has been an exciting season,” Manu explains. “Transitioning from Assistant Coach for JV to Head Coach for Varsity has been a learning process and a different role, but overall, it’s been exciting. Every game and practice is a new learning opportunity.”
Regarding the team’s improvement, Coach Manu stated “our record might show not much improvement has been going on, but the team is improving with each game which is a good thing.” Her main goal in taking on this position is to help students grow and get better at their sport. “Every game that we do play the more we get into the season.”
In terms of practice and conditioning, Manu added that the team’s schedule follows this routine: “We practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Friday off to rest and take care of personal life.” Monday and Wednesday practices happen from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Saturdays are done as a team early in the morning.
As the season is almost over, the team carries on lessons learned and a sense of determination for the new seasons to come. On and off the court, they continue to show the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork. They focus on finishing the season strong as they approach their Senior Night on April 11, 2024.