Meet Weston volleyball player Paul Shin
WESTON, Mass. — Four years ago, a friend invited Paul Shin (18) to join her at a volleyball practice. The players鈥� welcoming nature and enthusiasm for the sport instantly drew him in 鈥� and he knew he wanted to play going forward. He joined a club team and also played for Weston High School鈥檚 (WHS) Boys Varsity team, where he has been captain for the past two seasons.
Being on the shorter side of male volleyball players (under 6鈥�5鈥�), Paul focused on becoming an expert backrow player, called a libero (or 鈥渓ib鈥� for short). As the foundation of the defense, Paul excels at receiving serves and skillfully passing hits to his setter. He also takes pride in lifting his teammates鈥� spirits and keeping the energy high on and off the court.
Paul鈥檚 love of volleyball and positive presence extended to the WHS Girls Varsity Volleyball team, where he served as their manager 鈥� always willing to 鈥減epper鈥� with a player, offer tips, or lend a hand with line ups and drills. His leadership and enthusiasm made a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed next season.
Congrats, Paul!
Interview with Paul:
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Paul Shin: To get to the point where I can confidently say that the team looks up to me both on and off the court, and to be the person that the team sees as someone to turn to for support and advice.
What do you love about your sport?
Shin: Every point is full of excitement, and the team dynamic in volleyball is truly unique. The focus is less about individual performance and centers on mutual support 鈥� everyone鈥檚 goal is to stay positive and lift each other up, because success depends on the whole team working together.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Shin: After making a mistake, I was told, 鈥楳ake it up with a pass.鈥� It resonated with me, because I鈥檓 a lib, and all I do is pass. This advice reminds me to let go of the previous point and focus on the one ahead.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage it?
Shin: Volleyball is one of the most mental games, in my opinion 鈥� if you can鈥檛 get out of your own head, you become your greatest enemy. When that happens, I either take up more court to force myself into a confident mindset, or I step back and let others take up more court to give myself a moment to reset.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Shin: It鈥檚 not about YOU. On a team, you鈥檙e never alone 鈥� you鈥檙e surrounded by people working with you. Since you can鈥檛 touch the ball twice in a row in volleyball, you have no choice but to rely on your teammates, and that kind of trust isn鈥檛 something you find in individual sports.
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