Teaching teammates to be their best hones the skills of the team captain
In a game where players expect the unexpected, Max brings calm.
A volley may be fired over the net or lightly tipped. A serve might go long or land as an ace. A spike can rocket to the other side or be blocked with gusto.
With the frenetic back and forth of a volleyball game, Max reminds his London Christian High (LCH) teammates to keep their eyes on the ball.
“If the guys are getting into a bit of a rut, I try to help them out of that,” says Max, a Grade 12 student and team captain. “On the rare occasion when they’re yipping at each other, I get in front of that, so they focus on the game itself.”
Comradery on court
Since Grade 9, he has played volleyball with many of the same LCH teammates. “We’re all good friends,” he says. “Everyone is trying their best to succeed and look out for each other.”
Over the past four years, Max and the team have earned spots in city-wide finals and Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) tournaments.
Yet, in the heat of competition, things can go awry. That happened at one tournament, says Max, where the team could have played better.
“We had an off day. One of the guys wasn’t happy about it and he was getting really mad at another player,” he says. “After the game, I talked to the team to hold them accountable…and encourage them to put their full energy into the game.”
Max reflecting on leadership
“Sometimes you need to give a bit of tough love to remind your teammates that there’s a line they should not cross.” - Max, Grade 12
Consistency off court
As he ends his LCH volleyball career, Max has grown as a servant leader. “I’ve learned a lot about being in community and having each other’s backs in the good and the bad,” he says.
“When I’m interacting with teammates, I’m learning to help them with where they are at—like giving pointers to make a better volley or how to position themselves more consistently on the court.”
Practicing those leadership skills now will prepare him for the future. “I’ve been playing volleyball, and some basketball, for a while now,” he adds. “That’s helped me see the gifts and abilities God has given me, and learn how I can help others because of those experiences.”
