Looking more and more like a future coach, Chris Papavassiliou took the court last week determined to help his teammates.
And that’s exactly what the four-year Malibu High boys volleyball starter had to do after learning Coach Airess Padda would be missing practice.
The team didn’t miss a beat, as Papavassiliou guided his peers through drills and instruction for two hours. Coming off a three-set loss to Oak Park the previous week, the Sharks desperately needed the work and Papavassiliou delivered in grand style.
“This team is very inexperienced. The first couple of practices we had to teach a couple of the kids what volleyball is and how to play it,” said Papavassiliou, a co-captain and outside hitter who earned first-team and second-team all-league honors the last two seasons, respectively.
“People are learning as they are playing. We are a team but everybody has work to do,” he said.
On this particular day, with the undivided attention of each of his eight peers, Papavassiliou emphasized focusing throughout practice and playing hard as they would in a game.
The Sharks moved crisply from drill to drill as Papavassiliou described in detail specific volleyball technique while stressing the importance of making the most out of practice.
Another senior starter making a difference on the team is co-captain Jonathan “Boogie” Baldwin, who has set a high bar when it comes to work ethic and self-discipline. Papavassiliou and Baldwin form the heart and soul of a Sharks’ squad that consists of only nine players, many of whom are young and inexperienced.
Padda, in her first year as head coach for the MHS boys and girls volleyball programs, said she is fortunate to have two seniors who mean so much to the program.
“Chris and Boogie … have led our team in tough matches and I know that without them our team wouldn’t be able to function,” Padda said.
Malibu (2-6 overall, 1-5 in league) has taken its share of hits in competition against the likes of Oaks Christian and Oak Park, two traditionally strong volleyball programs. But that hasn’t stopped the Sharks’ thirst to improve as a team.
“It’s difficult when you put kids in that situation and expect to win,” Papavassiliou said. “But when we looked at film it was impressive to see the kids who have been playing volleyball for less than a month how well they did. We need to continue to focus on our game mentality.”
Baldwin, a three-year starter and setter for this year’s team, has witnessed growth in his teammates and understands the value of practicing and improving as the season progresses.
In its two victories this year, Malibu defeated Carpinteria, 3-2, and Cate, 3-1.
“Everyone has improved over the last two weeks and the wins against Carpinteria and Cate were definitely confidence boosters,” Baldwin said. “We just need to keep practicing. It’s all about repetition with hitting, passing, everything. Hopefully by the end of the season we will be a well-coached team that knows what they are doing and we can compete with every team in our league.”
Players such as middle Luke Larson, outside hitter Danny Maier, libero Vinny Hannely, opposite hitter Dane Marshall and middle Chris Hall have benefitted from the leadership and guidance of Papavassiliou and Baldwin.
With an energetic coach in Padda and two seasoned veterans leading the way, it’s onward and upward for the Sharks for the remainder of the season.
“These boys have grown tremendously. They have learned to play as a team, work hard, and believe it or not they have transformed into volleyball players,” Padda said. “I think this second half of the season will be interesting. We may shock a few teams because I feel most teams underestimate us. We are like the dark horse of the Tri-Valley League, and I can’t wait for what’s to come.”