In the bustling whirlwind of Harker, the satisfying echoes of a perfectly spiked volleyball harmonize with the whirring of robots. This is the world of Zachary Blue (12), who skillfully juggles his dual passions. Zachary’s developments as an athlete and engineer shape his character today. From a novice volleyball player to co-captain of the varsity volleyball team and champion of multiple Central Coast Section tournaments, Zachary’s story defies linearity.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zachary found himself at a crossroads during freshman year. Prior to high school, Zachary mostly played basketball, though he began to notice the repetitive nature of the sport. In a twist of fate, a friend recommended the anime “Haikyuu”, which instantly captivated Zachary with its portrayal of teamwork and his resonance with the sport’s dynamics. The transition marked the beginning of Zachary’s commitment to volleyball, as he found in it the joy that basketball no longer provided. 

During his early volleyball days, Zachary encountered numerous challenges, especially physical ones that he needed to adapt to. Through relentless hours of efforts to overcome these obstacles, Zachary now serves as one of the most crucial players of the team in the role of outside hitter, which leads the team’s attacks. 

“One big challenge is my height,” Zachary said. “In sophomore year, when I was just a serving sub, I took that to heart, because I really loved volleyball. So every day, I did 45 minutes of weight training, and I would do jumping with weights over and over again. After six months, I increased my vertical jump as it went from 22 inches to 34.”

Beyond the physical improvements Zachary gained through volleyball, he appreciates its role in fostering bonds with his teammates. Evolving from a reticent freshman to a more outgoing individual, he credits volleyball for nurturing some of his most meaningful relationships.

“Volleyball is a really great sport to just connect with other people,” Zachary said. “Through volleyball, I found that I’m really good at connecting with others, no matter what grade they’re in or what position they play or their personality. A lot of the friendships I have right now are because of volleyball.”

His progression in volleyball parallels his personal growth. He advanced from JV to varsity, where he not only secured his first CCS title but also rose to the role of co-captain. Under his leadership, the team triumphed in another CCS championship and several other important tournaments. He attributes these successes to the collective effort and camaraderie of all his teammates in the team, where he played alongside his long-time friend Jordan Labio (12).

“It’s really special that he was a junior last year, but he was still elected as a captain,” Jordan said. “He’s a great leader who bonds with the team really well. Everyone on the team really likes him.” 

Zachary consistently makes efforts to create a more pleasant and entertaining environment for his team. This motivation stems from a genuine love for the sport and a desire to support his teammates. 

“Everybody says that you have to lead by example, but I try to make volleyball as fun as possible, especially for the underclassmen and seniors,” Zachary said. “I feel that’s why the coaches and the players elected me as team captain, because I would always just try to make the sport more chill. You don’t have to stress over every point but try to have fun and love the sport.”

As Zachary’s coach since freshman year in both Harker and club, Diana Mendelez personally witnessed his development in volleyball throughout the years. She commends him for his tireless efforts to refine his techniques and elevate his performance on the court.

“His skill as a volleyball player was raw but athletic and very clean with no bad habits,” Mendelez said. “My perception of him was one of excitement and it continues to be due to his eagerness to learn the game, his dedication, love of the game and his positivity that allows him to improve on himself. He takes feedback well and executes with what is learned to the best of his ability. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Zack grow not only as a volleyball player in school but also as a person, a son, a brother and a friend.”

Zachary’s perseverance extends beyond the volleyball court, drawing upon the key lessons and determination acquired from the sport to excel in his five-year involvement in the field of robotics. Notably, his conversational skills seamlessly transition between these two interests. Zachary vividly recalls his initial apprehension during interviews with judges during competitions, crediting volleyball for equipping him with the confidence to navigate these situations. 

“Just through volleyball, I talked to so many different kinds of people,” said Zachary “I started to talk to a lot of different kinds of people during robotics tournaments and became way more confident in speaking to judges. I began to feel so prepared that I could just walk in and feel confident.”

During robotics tournaments, Zachary takes on the vital role of driving his team’s robot during the fast-paced alliance matches, where two teams from different schools band together to face off against another pair. Jordan recalls a crucial moment during a match where Zachary demonstrated his perseverance and adaptability. Faced with the daunting challenge of operating alone as a driver due to the absence of his partner, Zachary effortlessly navigated this obstacle. 

“It was a 1v2,” Jordan recalled.  “The other team thought they’d easily win, as usually, a 1v2 is super hard to win. However, he actually managed to pull the victory out, as he played a lot of offense and defense. He actually gave us the win and one of the top seats of the tournament.”

Close friend Jerry Li (12), who met Zachary in an English class in seventh grade, sheds light on Zachary’s diverse abilities and his ability to accomplish such a well-rounded lifestyle. 

“From the outside, you would think a lot of stuff comes easy, but you have to recognize all the hard work,” Jerry said. “He’s a really kind person who’s willing to make other people happy at the fault of his own. The entire volleyball story can prove that.”

For Zachary, that striking lifestyle is key. He reflects on the commonly shared mantra among his peers as he prepares for the transition to college life. He contemplates the depth of this phrase, recognizing its significance in shaping his approach to future endeavors.

“Everyone always says, YOLO, you only live one life,” Zachary says. “And it’s true, you only live one life.  That’s exactly the reason why in whatever you’re doing, you should find the best parts and enjoy them. Like in school, finding a class you love. For me, volleyball and robotics, my outlets are for fun. It’s about enjoying what you do and sharing that joy with others.”