One word with a massive meaning: Execute.
That’s what Mercer Island High School’s volleyball players have emblazoned on their warmup shirts as they prepare for some intense action on the court.
“I think everyone knows that all we have to do is just play our game. Play the way that we know how to and just execute — and that’s it,” said senior setter Ava Imbesi on a recent evening before the Islanders jumped into a practice session.
Imbesi is joined on the squad by fellow seniors Sarah Gribble (outside hitter), June Zalewska (middle blocker/outside hitter), Aikum Bains (outside hitter) and Sydney Parcel (libero).
Gribble said the team — which is led by head coach Shayda Sanii — was thrilled to win its season-opening jamboree and is set for more. The Islanders got off to a hot KingCo Conference start by beating Woodinville, 3-0, on Sept. 11 at home.
“I think it’s going to be a really exciting season. All five of us (seniors) have been playing together for a really long time. We have a lot of new girls this year, especially the freshmen incoming are really good,” she said. “I think so far we’ve made a really good connection as a team, and we all play really fluid and together on the court.”
During Imbesi’s time with the Islanders, she’s learned some valuable lessons about being patient and showing up to each practice and game for herself and her teammates.
“Everyone feeds off your energy and it makes a huge difference, especially when we’re playing really tough matches,” she said.
Zalewska, who stands 6 feet tall, is excited to be part of something bigger than herself when the ball is put into play.
“I’m not only playing my hardest and to my best capabilities — not just for myself — but for everyone around me and the people in the stands,” she said. “With this team, it’s very important to just think of everyone as yourself. Put all effort out for everyone as if they were yourself.”
Bains said one of the team’s goals is to return to the 3A state tournament where the hard-working and disciplined Islanders competed two years ago. She added that the Islanders would like to recreate that achievement this season by showing the younger girls how to reap success each day in the gym.
“Going all out and kind of preparing for that next step of making it to state and meeting our goals by being super focused and disciplined,” she said.
When playing her back-row defensive libero position, Parcel is always watching and analyzing how the hitters are approaching the ball.
“Also, a big part of it is just communication with the whole team. Being loud, really understanding how others move on the court,” she said. “With our team, I also think we’ve built a really good connection with that. We have a really good understanding and almost like telepathy with each other.”
The Reporter asked the Islanders a pair of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives:
What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Gribble: The old “Top Gun” movie.
Imbesi: “Glass Onion” (A Knives Out Mystery).
Zalewska: I would have to say “Nightmare Before Christmas.” It’s my favorite holiday movie in the fall and in the winter. I just love it.
Bains: “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Parcel: Should I say it, guys? “KPop Demon Hunters.”
What’s a pet peeve of yours?
Gribble: One of my biggest pet peeves is probably people chewing gum. Just everything about it. I don’t like the noise, the smell.
Imbesi: My pet peeve is when people are eating food and they just had to slurp for no reason. Especially soup — I just can’t deal with that. It just makes me annoyed.
Zalewska: I would say when somebody’s talking and other people are being really loud so you can’t hear the other person talking.
Bains: People clicking their pens a bunch in class.
Parcel: My little brother. (She said he’ll think it’s funny.)
