After watching her dad play volleyball growing up, junior setter Captain Alexandra Okumura decided to give the sport a try herself. She first started playing volleyball in sixth grade, and seven years later, volleyball has become an important part of her life. What started as an interest in being part of a team has grown into a sport she genuinely loves, especially being able to play alongside her best friends and working towards a common goal as a team. Her love for the sport has also helped shape the way she plays, motivating her to continue improving while encouraging the people around her to get better as well.
As a setter and captain on the varsity team, Okumura plays an important role in keeping the team connected during games. She describes herself as supportive and hardworking, focusing on communicating plays and making sure everyone gets involved. This season, one of her main goals has been improving the consistency of her sets, whether that means getting the ball to the right height or putting it in the right place. For Okumura, being a good player is not just about individual performance, but about helping the entire team succeed.
The team’s mentality has made some of the biggest moments of the season especially meaningful. Okumura said her favorite moment so far this season was the team’s most recent game against Greens Farms Academy. “Everyone came together and competed hard for the win,” Okumura shared. At the same time, she has also reached an impressive individual milestone by recording her 1,000th assist. The accomplishment reflects not only her skill as a setter, but also the years of work she has put into the sport since first picking up volleyball in sixth grade.
Despite her individual accomplishments, Okumura said that what means the most to her is being part of a team that supports one another. “Being a part of this team means having a group of girls who support and care and push each other on and off this court,” she stated. After seven years of playing, Okumura continues to bring that same love for volleyball to the court, using her role as captain and setter to communicate, support her teammates, and help bring the team together.
