ACSC

By Sean Lee

The last year of my volleyball career couldn’t be better than this. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. Since the beginning of the season, I had the feeling that we could get gold for ACSC, as I have seen the teams last year. With that excitement for first place, we headed off to Indonesia, where ACSC was hosted. It was hosted by a school called SPH, and I was there for ACSC basketball months ago, so it was nice being back. 

When we got there, we attended the opening ceremony. They welcomed us with traditional music and dances. The next day, it was officially when the games started. The tournament was designed in a round robin competition and whoever with the most wins gets the higher seed and from there, it is the double bracket elimination. In the span of three days, we played against every other team and ended the round robin with 6 wins and 1 loss, resulting in 2nd place. That one loss we got was against Faith, the one and only team that we had feared. In the 7 games, most of the time I was on the bench. Bench could’ve been very upsetting and sad, but I had Andy Tan (12) and Ting Yi Huang (12) with me. Because of them, the bench was really fun. We had fun cheering the starters, supporting the team, and taking stats. 

“The bench was way more fun than I thought,” Ting Yi said during our ACSC. 

Also, I got to play some of the games as a replacement for Jaeyoun Kim (12) when he was struggling. On the third day, the double elimination round began, and this was it--where every win and loss mattered. We had a second seed and were going against the 7th seed. The team that was in 7th seed was Grace Tigers from Chiang Mai. We beat them 2-0 and went on to play against SPH. 

SPH had one player who had a really good spike, and I was expecting them to give us a tough game. However, my expectations were wrong. We beat them fairly easily and advanced to the semi-finals. 

The team that was waiting for us was Faith. We had all the motivation to beat them as they beat us last time in round robin. Starting in the semi-finals, the game was best to five, so whoever takes 3 sets wins. In this game, surprisingly, we took the first 2 sets. Everyone was hyped, we were going to beat Faith. However, half way through the third set, the one thing I was most worried about happened. Jaeyoun rolled his ankle and was out for the game. I had to sub in for him and I was terrified. I never expected to play in such an important game for volleyball. Ready or not, I had to go in and play. 

When I got in, I lost 3 points immediately, and I was devastated. Eventually, we lost that set. But it was okay, we were still up by 2-1, and I was very motivated to do good and get the win for Jaeyoun. I tried my best and we won that game thanks to Aaron Andrews (11). I was so happy, we were in the finals. 

We didn’t know whether Jaeyoun could play or not, and I really hoped he could play as I really wanted us to win first place. So, I massaged Jaeyoun’s ankle and tried my best to make him able to play. 

Then, the time came. The time where all our season led to, all our practices were for this moment: The finals against Faith. Thankfully, Jaeyoun was able to play, and all of us were hyped. Me, Tingyi and Kaiji Bok sang FE!N to bring up the energy and it was super effective. The whole bench was hype. Despite the hype and great energy, the set went to the 5th set. This was where it all mattered. Everyone was so focused and finally, history was made. We had won the first gold for volleyball in Dalat’s history. I cannot explain how happy I was winning that gold. All of us went crazy and celebrated. 

This was a trip that I will never forget. 

Not Just A Game

By Josiah Blacklock

I remember the games, the intensity with which we lunged for the ball and beat back the offense assaulting our line. I remember the triumph in our voices as we screamed to the sky after scoring a winning goal. I remember the joy on the faces of the people who we served the second day of that soccer tournament. But the thing I remember the most were the stories that come from the exploration of a new country, the inside jokes that spawned from random catchphrases, and the new connections that I formed not just with my teammates but between different teams and even locals. 

I got the opportunity to attend ACSC in Taiwan last week and play soccer against seven other teams. I had originally signed up for soccer because I’d grown up playing soccer and had played it last year. I wasn’t in it to forge new connections or broaden my cultural palate, but fortunately, that’s exactly what happened. 

The trip started with our team meeting in front of Harbor Hall and setting off for Taiwan via a couple of buses and a plane. The random assignment of the plane tickets served to bring my teammates in contact with people they wouldn’t normally interact with and so served to reinforce the unity of the team. But the bonding didn’t stop there.

Throughout the week, our team got nothing but bonding with each other since we were all stuck in the same hotel and went everywhere with each other. We toured Taiwan together via the metro on Tuesday, served a local community of disabled people on Wednesday, went to the Night Market on Thursday, and sat together eating lunch and dinner every day. By the time I got home Sunday night, it felt weird to not be surrounded by my teammates.

There’s something that happens on these trips, something that can’t be replicated by purely hanging out with someone or seeing them at school. Jaden Lee (10) commented that “playing with each other brought a strong bond as we all had the same goal in mind.” 

The constant exposure to my teammates built relationships that were unique and, at least for me, unforeseen. I expected to play soccer and yes, maybe learn a few names and facts about my teammates. But I didn’t expect to deeply bond with and get to know each of my teammates’ personalities and quirks. But as we experienced life together, our relationships grew, and by the time the closing ceremony rolled around, I already felt a pang at the realization that life would go back to normal that week. 

Mr. Brendan van Rensburg, our coach, summed it my thoughts best on the last day of the tournament: “It’s not just about soccer, but about your teammates and about relationships.” 

A Different Fall Break

By Vennie Wong

"I think we would get last place or, like, second last," I said hopelessly to Zoe Wong (11). 

She agreed with a sigh. Throughout a volleyball season with little to no wins, it was obvious to think that way. "On the bright side of it all," I said, "we are going to Korea." Korea, one of the highlights of this year's volleyball season…

The plane's bumpy landing that rocked the entire cabin signified we had landed in Korea. Everyone on the team was filled with anxiety and excitement, not knowing how the week was going to go. As we went through immigration and reached the exits, bright lights illuminated every corner of the airport; a closer look revealed them to be convenience stores, the very convenience stores from which we ended up buying dinner. Dinner for the team consisted of kimbap rolls and a bunch of sweet, icy drinks, which was more than enough to end our day. Since it was late when we reached the hotel, we all retreated to our hotel rooms and rested for the night.

Waking up in a foreign place other than my bedroom made me realize the events of last night were not a dream. The start of the new day, with the cold air caressing my face, made me want to stay in Korea forever. What followed were palace visits and a lot of shopping; it was all smiles that day, not yet feeling the nerves of the start of ACSC.

The start of ACSC brought about faces of nervousness, unsure of how each team might play. Although we were doubtful about our abilities, throughout ACSC, every player on the team improved as we played. The team ended the tournament with 5th overall. Senior Renee Tay (12) said about the trip: "It was very fun. We tried to get 4th, but it wasn't in our favor. But, the bonding was surreal even with the coaches."

On the contrary, Zoe Wong (11) had sadder words about the trip: "It was very emotional because there were happy and sad moments. We also stayed in Korea for more than a day, so we got attached. It was sad when we left." 

This year's ACSC trips gave the team new experiences and insight into different perspectives. We learned that working hard doesn't always come hand in hand with success; we also learned about the different friendships we never would've guessed would happen. It was a good ending to many seniors’ last season of volleyball.

The Undefeated Eagles

By Sam Boyle

JV Volleyball Tournament

It’s a Friday morning, the JV boys & girls are excited and nervous to participate in a tournament hosted by Oasis in KL. They entered the school at roughly 2pm after leaving at 8:30am and got prepared for their brief on the tournament. They went to the gym to warm up and prepare for the big upcoming tournament and to cool off from the long trip. 

The boys' first game was a rough one. They were still warming up after a long drive, and all felt a little tired and stiff. However, they still put in their best effort and came together to snatch the win in their first game. Once they won the first game, there was no stopping them.

The Dalat JV boys were a powerhouse that dominated everyone else and that couldn't be stopped by anyone, not even by Piza, a formidable team that was expected to go far in the tournament.

At the hotel, the guys all had fun celebrating their victories on the first day. They had some team bonding time with their teammates to get closer with each other and build some chemistry. The following morning they had a buffet-style breakfast that served western food, which was a nice surprise for a lot of the boys and girls.

After breakfast, the boys got ready and hopped on the bus back to Oasis where they got mentally prepared for their first game. Their first game back was a win, which hyped everyone up because they were on little sleep and not warmed up yet. They then followed that game up with another win, then they moved on and won the finals, going undefeated.

Matthias Seevaratnam (11), a valuable asset to the JV boys said, “The team showed great spirit and maintained joyfulness and composure when we were down and that helped us to comeback, get the victory and take home the crown." This was the reason they were able to steamroll through everyone, even though they were doubted for being one of the shortest teams at the tournament. 

Packed Impact

By Eleannor Tang

On October 11, 2024, sixteen Dalat students departed for six days of impact travel to West Java, Indonesia. Our purpose was to serve local ministries through sports and English. 

The team was required to meet on campus at 4:30 am to leave for the airport. Everyone who was supposed to be there arrived on time, except for one person. At 4:35 am, I called Kiera Nichols (12) to ask if she was almost here. 

She responded, “Oh my gosh, I just woke up. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” 

Our flight took off at 11:30 am, and after about 3.5 hours, we finally arrived in Jakarta. After immigration, the most dreadful part of our trip was approaching. We had to be stripped of our phones for almost a week. Some of us saw this as a detox opportunity; however, a couple were absolutely dreading it. 

We started our deviceless bus ride from Jakarta to Bandung, which took about four hours. During the ride, three seniors decided to cope with the boredom by hosting interviews with all the underclassmen. 

“What is your deepest, darkest secret?” Nichols asked Yewon Lee (11).

Laughter flooded the bus as more strange questions arose. 

When we arrived in Bandung, we were taken to the room eleven girls had to share. It had eleven mattresses on the floor, four shower stalls, and two standing fans. After we had settled down, we rushed into the game room to see what they had to offer. We were surprised by a foosball table, ping pong table, and an unlimited choice of board games. In the central area, there was a blue court where we played various sports throughout the trip, such as basketball, futsal, volleyball, and spike ball. We were given about an hour of free time to explore and bond with each other. We grabbed a basketball, and half of us split into teams to play a little scrimmage. 

At about 6:00 pm, the kitchen bell rang to gather us for dinner. A buffet-style table of tacos was displayed in the dining room, waiting to be devoured. Mr. Chin, one of our leaders, said grace, and then we began to feast. Everyone started munching on their homemade tacos, and less than 30 minutes later, we were all stuffed. 

After dinner, we went to the living room to do our daily devotions and discussions. Our leaders, Ms. Keister, Mr. Chin, and Mr. Yoo, briefed us on our plans for the next day. We were set to do an early morning river clean-up and hang out with the Ngoybar people in the afternoon. Just like that, the day came to an end, and we were prepared to embark on a long six-day week of service. 

Bandung Impact Team 2024, Picture by Mr. Chin

Our Captain’s Digital Camera

By Sophia Coker

Each click and flash from Rebecca Wong’s (12) digital camera framed our team’s spirit. From our long bus rides to post game dinners and mall runs, our captain’s camera became a silent witness to our journey. It became a staple on our team and was even used to capture the player’s individual pictures for player posts. Rebecca was great at pulling that camera out at the randomest times and catching funny candid moments that accurately represented our team. Not only did the camera capture our fierce determination, but it also snapshotted the friendship, laughter, and ambition that would carry us throughout the ups and downs of the season.  

As the weeks unfolded, the digital camera captured our smiles post tough losses and hard-fought wins. But it wasn’t just about the games, this camera documented our growth beyond the field as well. It caught us together in the cramped van and on the bleachers. It caught team bonding over pizza. It caught our late-night laughs all hanging out in our captains’ hotel room at our KL tournament. 

As our soccer season has come to a pause, Rebecca’s digital camera holds the memories of our journey: the sweat, the laughter, the frustrations. Each photo is a testament to our dedication, unity, and love for the game. Through the camera’s lens, our team’s connection extends far beyond soccer. We aren’t just a team, we are a family, united by our unforgettable memories we have shared and our love for the game. 

When we enter into our spring season of soccer, our captain’s digital camera will continue to document every step of the journey. It will travel with us wherever we go, and capture the determination of our team.

Race Against a Storm

By Zeke Croft

Recently, the waves have been very rough. Storms have come at unexpected times, dousing the campus and sea with thick drops and crackling lightning. The storms seem to die down, so one weekend, several students decided to go out kayaking. 

Out of the five students who decided to embark on this adventure, four lived in the dorm. We asked our dorm parents permission to use the kayaks before heading down to the new boathouse. The storage for the equipment is quite nice now, and our group took two paddle boards, one double kayak, and one single kayak. 

Out on the water, the person in the single kayak, Caleb Evens, headed way out to sea before turning towards Rat Island. I was on a paddle board, and stayed with the rest of the group. As we approached Rat Island, the wind and waves started to pick up. We debated whether to go back, but when the sky thundered, our decision was made. We were quite close to Rat Island, but we turned around and started to head back.

Caleb did not seem to care we were heading back and kept going the short distance toward the island. I decided to stay with him, because you should always have someone else with you in the water, and the others headed back. Caleb arrived at the island and got out. When I arrived, I asked him why he went to the island instead of turning back. He said, “I think I have water in my kayak.”

We turned over his kayak to dump out the water before turning back to Dalat. The storm approached fast as we paddled furiously. I think we beat the storm only by a few minutes. When we rejoined our group on land, Caleb explained his opinion. We cleaned off the kayak then headed inside just as the storm hit.

Sniff the Fresh Math Air

By Sophia Teoh

It was 8:20 in the morning as I entered the sea of bright-minded individuals in Mrs. Sara Kearney’s AP Calculus BC classroom. Waves of chatter greeted me about what my peers were engaged in, today's goals, whether they were nervous about any upcoming assessments, and all kinds of things - with over twenty of us in that single science room, anyone could talk about anything. With my posture straight as a line and my black eyes sparkling with the brightness of a thousand stars as I imagined the activities we would engage in, I looked at the giant TV projector screen which stated something out of the ordinary - function analysis yoga.  

Function analysis yoga? Normally, I don’t think of the juxtaposition of mathematics and exercise. But still, being an enthusiastic math-loving student, I started to talk to the teacher about what “function analysis yoga” could be.  

“Are we gonna bend our bodies to match the shapes of different functions?” I asked.

The teacher gave me a friendly wink and a fist-bump. “That’s exactly right,” she reverted warmly.  

As we were sorted into groups of three or four, I could not help but think this was one of the best school days of Grade 12. An opportunity to be hands-on, spend time with our friends, stretch from our sitting positions, and smell the fresh Dalat air. Each group could feel the gears of their brains twist and turn as they thought about possible functions that matched the detailed criteria on our worksheets.  

In our group which consisted of me, Onyou Kim (12), and Ryan Khaw (12), we modeled piecewise functions that required us to lie on the ground, polynomial functions where we made our hands curve like a roller coaster, and so much more. At the end of all this fun, we compiled our photographs of our function models into a Google Slides presentation. And we had to do this quick - no time to waste. It was due at the end of the block, by hook or by crook. Despite this pressure, I pushed through and helped my team as best as I could. 

This timed assignment gave me a view of college life - a step higher from high school, where collaboration and timeliness were paramount. This is what I love about high school life - you are not alone in this journey, but rather, you have family, friends, and experienced teachers who will guide you in your transition from Dalat to wherever you may go.  

Zero to Hero

By Micah Pickett

With a rough start to the season, the Dalat boys’ soccer team was heading into the tournament with doubts. But the team knew they had to hold their ground and show up ready to fight despite the low morale. On Friday, September 27th, 2024, at exactly 1:58 p.m., the majestic boys’ soccer team walked wholeheartedly onto the field… Let the games begin! 

The whistle blew, and the ball was pinged around. Bodies were flying around the field here and there, fighting their hardest not to lose track of the ball. The game was tight, but it wasn’t until Darnell Dwumfour (12) played an exceptional ball to Adriaan Hueting (11) that a win was secured for Dalat on the first day. The player who ensured the win said, “My brilliant back heel was cold. It ignited excitement among the fans and my teammates” (Dwumfour). And that wrapped up the first day of intense labour out on the fields of battle.

The team awoke early the next morning. The players were sore from the war that tore them straight to the floor after a long previous day. One by one, all the teams started warming up their fit bods. As the teams swarmed the field, ready to fight, the referees started the game. Players poured their hearts out, aiming for the top spot. Fans were screaming, crying, and gasping as the intensity arose. 

The sun was sky-high and blazing hot. The tournament was coming to an end. All the teams played, but in the end, it was the Dalat Soccer team that came back victorious. After blood, sweat, tears, and a few sessions of mandatory bonding, the Eagles got what they deserved. Romeo Kontsas (12) held up the trophy and the whole team shrieked with joy. What a finish to the weekend! The team left feeling proud and fulfilled, especially the one and only G.O.A.T—Mr. Van.

Eagles at the Jungle

By Peter Hsu

“1, 2, 3, KAW KAW!” shouted Captain Aaron Andrews (11) with the whole team as Sam Yeoh (10) the setter, aced his serve against KCHS. 

On September 28, the volleyball-loving Eagles left for KL to play in the Twin Tower Tournament hosted by ISKL. The Twin Tower Tournament started with a round-robin, in which all teams played against each other once before playing the playoffs. During the round-robin, the guys played against KCHS, JJHS, AVA, YIS and ISKL while the girls played against YIS, Horizon, ISKL, KCHS, and JJHS.

With a 3:2 record, the boys were seeded third and faced KCHS for the third-place match. After a hard-fought battle, they emerged victorious in three sets, securing third place overall. Meanwhile, the girls, with a 1:4 record, competed for fifth place. Despite their determined efforts, they fell short and finished in sixth place.

“Although I didn't get a ton of playing time, I hope to come back stronger next year and do even better with my team,”  said Zong Jue Tan (9), middle blocker. “It was a fun first experience for me as I enjoyed bonding with my team over the course of the whole trip.”

Lee Yan Tan, the captain of the girls’ varsity volleyball team, remarked, “This trip was a big learning experience for us. We got to see a lot of what we lack and identify what we can work on. Aside from that, our team also got a lot closer and bonded well.”

With ACSC just two weeks away, the Twin Tower Tournament served as valuable preparation for playing multiple games in a day. The experience gained and lessons learned will undoubtedly help both teams as they gear up for the upcoming challenges. 

Best of luck to both teams as they work hard and prepare to compete again during ACSC.

Go Eagles! 

Boys finishing third 

Photo credit: Andrew (12)

 

Girls celebrating after a no touch ace by Kyra (12)

Photo credit: Lee Yan

The Current State of Dalat’s Boys Varsity Volleyball Team?

Juan Moon

The Dalat Boys Varsity volleyball team finished 3rd at the ISKL Invitationals last weekend, a result that left the team with mixed feelings about their performance and future prospects.

The Dalat Boys Varsity volleyball team showed both promise and room for improvement at the ISKL Invitationals held on September 27th and 28th. They competed against the top school, ISKL, and many other promising teams. The team's 3rd place finish was a respectable achievement, but it also highlighted areas needing improvement.

The tournament provided an opportunity for the team to gauge their skills against solid opponents. Unfortunately, the team fell short of their own high expectations, leading to some disappointment among players and coaches alike. “We know we can do better,” remarked one of the players.

This mixed outcome has set a reflective tone for the season ahead, especially with the ACSC tournament approaching. Although 3rd place is respectable, the team remains disappointed at their performance because 1st place was definitely in reach, but inconsistencies riddled them with unnecessary losses of points. While some worry about the inconsistencies, others are hopeful that the lessons learned will translate into stronger future performances.

Coach Trevor Riffey remains optimistic about the team despite the setback. He expressed, “Out of all the years, I believe this year we have the highest chance to win ACSC.” However, he also acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly in maintaining consistent performance throughout matches.

The team’s experience at the ISKL Invitationals is a testament to their hard work and determination, serving as both a motivator and a wake-up call. As they continue to prepare for ACSC, the Dalat Boys Varsity volleyball team is determined to work hard to not disappoint.

While there are still some doubts brewing in the team, the Dalat Boys Varsity volleyball team’s recent experiences have laid a strong foundation for a promising season. With Coach Riffey’s guidance and the team’s commitment to improvement, hopes are optimistic for Dalat’s first volleyball gold medal in ACSC.