28 | March 28, 2019 | Malibu surfside news sports malibusurfsidenews.com Athlete of the Week 10 Questions with Lexi Thomas Boys Volleyball Comeback win is good sign for young Sharks Joe Coughlin, Publisher Lexi Thomas, 16, is a sophomore who plays softball and cross country for Malibu High School and also rides horseback. What would you say horseback riding has taught you that helps you as an athlete? Overall, horseback riding has taught me trust because my horse and I have to trust each other in order for us to work well together. What is it that you enjoy about the game of softball? What I enjoy most about softball is the competition. How would you say you’ve improved from freshman year to now in softball? I feel a lot more confidence in my fielding. Who were your role models growing up? My two older brothers were my role models growing up. What are your hobbies outside sports? Reading, spending time around my horses and hanging out with my friends. What is your favorite place to eat in Malibu? Malibu Seafood. Do you have a favorite moment from this softball season so far? Finally being able to play on the softball field because it was flooded during the rain storms. Do you have a favorite athlete? Surfside News file photo (Los Angeles Dodgers infielder) Justin Turner. If you could have any one superpower what would it be and why? I would have time travel because I think it would be interesting to be able to go in the past and future. What are your goals this softball season? To make it to CIF’s [postseason] with my team. Interview conducted by freelance reporter Ryan Flynn One of the pitfalls of inexperience is a lack of poise — allowing speed bumps to become road blocks. The Malibu High School boys volleyball team hit one when it lost the first set in its league match with visiting Port Hueneme Tuesday, March 19. “We talked after the first set how it was close, but we made a lot of errors,” coach Derek Saenz said. “We’re going to make errors. We need to get over that. “We got a little more aggressive and got the win [in the second set]. And the third set, we just didn’t make a lot of errors.” After dropping Set 1 25- 23, the Sharks completed the comeback by winning the final three sets (25-16, 25-12, 25-23) to move to 2-2 in the Citrus Coast League and 2-6 overall. The win was a sign that the young Sharks may be swimming in the right direction. Past the midway point in the season, Malibu High has experienced ups and downs while learning to not just play, but compete, Saenz said. “The guys are pretty young. It’s a lot of teaching how to play the game and how to compete,” he said. “Getting out there and doing more than playing.” Spring is a busy time for high school boys athletics. Many student-athletes play baseball, run track or swim. Coach Derek Saenz talks to his team as they prepare for a league matchup with Port Hueneme March 19 in Malibu. Suzy Demeter/22nd Century Media This year, there are only 12 members of the MHS boys volleyball program. In his first year, Saenz, who is also the girls volleyball coach and an area club coach, is hoping to endear his players to the sport of volleyball, which he said is half the battle. “We watch a lot of video, from U12 to Olympic level volleyball,” he said. “We talk about immersing yourself in the culture of the sport. ... It takes an interest and putting time in. It doesn’t happen by chance or magic. If you do the work, you’ll get the result.” He’s seeing it pay off. At a recent practice, Saenz caught libero Jimmy Bruele setting to himself on a water break. His handwork looked better, cleaner. “I asked him how he was doing that and he said he just started watching more video,” Saenz said. “It was perfect.” While the wins are not stacking up just yet, Saenz sees positive results from guys like Bruele and George Roth, the junior setter who Saenz said is one of the best in the league. He’s hoping his players worry about consistency not perfection. The Sharks are in the mix for a playoff berth, currently sitting tied for second in their conference. With four more matches in-league, they control their own fate. And while there will be speed bumps, Saenz hopes they keep moving. “The kids are buying into it and putting more time in,” he said. “ ... We talk about the big three: Did we give consistent effort, have a consistent attitude on the court and were we consistently being good teammates? If you focus on that more than anything else, the volleyball should take care of itself.”
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