A Final Kaboom Completes the Perfect Ending to a Historic U12 Girls’ Volleyball Season

The U12 Girls’ Volleyball Team finished the regular International School Sports Federation of Hong Kong (ISSFHK) season with a 5-1 record in Division 2 and were ready for the playoffs!  Over the course of the season, all 10 student-athletes took on new roles and responsibilities learning how to play structured volleyball under the coach of Coach Michaela Staller.

Our bus ride began, with 10 players, 2 managers, and our team photographer ready to travel to International Christian School. 

Coaching girls involves a specialized approach; how we manage our emotions would directly dictate how we performed.  We discussed a game plan, the three keys to success would involve our pre serve routine, calling “mine”, and shifting the harmful thoughts out of our brains quickly.  Having a strong practice the previous day, and many open gym mornings the past two weeks, AIS was ready to compete!

As the 2nd place seed, we played rivals Christian Alliance School.  We had split 1-1 in our prior two encounters and knew their tactics which included “unpredictable volleyball”.  Kailey Ng, Eliza Taing and Ruby Lui had strong serves to help us pull away to win the first set.  AIS was in control, and until the middle of the second set.  Unfortunately, the communication, and harmful emotions were setting in and we couldn’t quite turn things around.  As usual, we had to advance to a third and deciding set to 15 points.  The team was ready to reset and emerged victorious after some strong hits from Samridha Shukla and Jasmine Wong in a decisive 15 – 8 victory!

Having reached the final, we now faced the undefeated number 1 seed International Christian School, on their home court, with their fans.  As all stories go, there can be many endings.  Our pre-final discussion focused on the pressure being on ICS.  In sports, there are rankings and standings, however, if all games went according to “what is on paper” there would be no willingness to compete and games would possibly not even be played.  The girls learned about what it meant to be an underdog.  No pressure, no expectations, do what you normally do and let the results take care of themselves.  Stay in the present, show resilience and bounce back when mistakes are made, and shift negative emotions and keep the party going!  With that, we did our cheer and the game began.

We brought energy, intensity, and a party-like mentality in the first set.  Quintessa Choi’s passing was on point and we were able to pass, set, and finish rallies with hits!  Our serving statistics were very high; in fact over 90% were in play.  ICS started to make mistakes, show panic, and desperation as AIS kept the composure and finished the set with a win!  As we were leading 1-0 we noticed that our positivity and confidence was creating fear and uncertainty in our opponents. Coach Staller asked the team “Did you expect to be here and win?” and the response was “No”.  

Back to our story, Coach Staller reiterated that they get to write the ending.  If we stick to the game plan, maintain the energy, communication, and serving, the results will take care of themselves. We were in a perfect position to attack while ICS was in shock and disbelief.  The second set began and it was very back and forth. 

We were neck and neck 21-20 when Mikaela Tong re-entered the match to boost our serving late in the game.  She executed perfectly, and the score was now 24-22 and match point.  ICS called a timeout.  Coach Staller’s message at the timeout was that you don’t win championships on free balls, you need to be aggressive and hit to end the rally and secure the win.  AIS executed on the next play! Jasmine Wong had a perfect pass to Eliza Taing who set up Kailey Ng for a final KABOOM. 

Congratulations to the U12 Girls’ Volleyball Team and Coach Staller on learning, leading, and succeeding in a historic underdog season!  Well done everybody!