At Leysin American School, we are passionate about athletics and we take great pride in offering opportunities for every student to find a sport that fits their interests and strengths. This year, our volleyball program has been a shining example of dedication, teamwork, and school spirit. Our girls team had a strong season with the athletes further developing their skills, level of play, and creating a strong bond as a team. They consistently brought determination, focus, and spirit to every match, always making LAS proud. Our boys team had an extraordinary season, capturing the SGIS, ISSC, MLS, and ADISR championships and proving themselves to be true standouts on the court.

We caught up with both coaches to hear more about their teams and the successes they achieved throughout the year.

How did the team start out at the beginning of the season and what kind of growth/changes did you observe during the season?

Mr. Hitchcock (coach of the boys team): We knew we would be pretty good this year as we had everyone back from a team that was pretty good last year. Plus we added a new setter and a 6'5" player to the team and that put us over the top. I challenged them from the beginning to be the best LAS volleyball team in recent memory (if not ever) and they have played with that chip on their shoulder all year. After four championships, we still haven't lost a match. As a team, we have gotten better on defense and cover formations, but there is still a considerable room for improvement.  

Mr. Gibs (coach of the girls team): The team was made up of many more new players than last year, with a wide range of skill levels, from complete beginners to athletes who have been playing volleyball for years. One of our biggest challenges was finding a way to bring everyone to a similar level while still pushing our more experienced players to grow. Given the short season, their development has been a joy to watch. At the beginning, the team lacked cohesion, but over time they solidified, with each player understanding her role and becoming a supportive presence both on and off the court.

Tell us about the connection between the teammates—they seem very in sync with each other. Do you feel that this team is more tightly connected than usual? If so, what do you attribute it to?

Mr. Hitchcock: One of the magic elements of team sports are the van trips, the meals together, and the sense of camaraderie that can develop with a team. It is that connection that makes sports so special, and transcends things like wins and losses. This group works because they keep things loose. They laugh at each other (and with each other) and don't take themselves too seriously. This is not necessarily their personalities outside of sports, as many of the players are individually pretty serious. But sports let us cut loose from those stressors and let other personalities emerge.  

What is your approach to coaching in terms of getting the most out of your athletes? What do you like to impart to them about the sport in general?

Mr. Gibs: As it was my first year as a coach, I believe I did as much learning as the girls did and I still believe I have a long way to go in order to give the girls the utmost I have to offer.

Mr. Hitchcock: I always remind them of just a few simple lessons:

1. Maintain focus in matches all the time—don't take any points off.
2. Leave the mistakes behind. In sport we are constantly losing points, so we have to just move on to the next point. Don't focus on the past, keep looking forward.  
3. Keep running our system. We have to trust ourselves and the systems we practice, and we keep running that system.  

In general, I talk a lot about trust and teamwork. We have to trust ourselves and our skill sets, and we have to trust our teammates to pick us up if we need it. We also trust each other to stick to our assignments and run the system. 

What are some standout moments or achievements during the season that make you especially proud?

Mr. Gibs: There is no one moment that I would say that has made me more proud than another as they consistently do their best and watching them remain enthusiastic in moments that seem bleak is great to see. Though if I did have to give a moment, it would be during their qualifications to the MLS finals where they placed all of the skills and experience they've obtained up to that point and played some of their best games.

 

Players on the boys teams also shared their experiences about this past season:

Ollie ‘26:

My experience with volleyball started at LAS and I've got to where I am solely through playing with my friends and putting in 120% every single time I play. LAS has given me this amazing opportunity I never would have gotten at the high school I would otherwise have gone to so, to me, LAS is a deeply precious and important part of my life. I believe volleyball to be a sport for those who are kind, empathetic, and sympathetic due to it being a 100% team-based game. And due to this, my peers and I have grown closer to each other than in most other sports. The LAS team this year is unnaturally good and we have so many members who are not only passionate about volleyball but also weirdly talented. I remember when I first started volleyball and I was the worst player on the team. I would sometimes cry because of it but, through the support of those around me, I pushed through and am now considered one of the best players at LAS. The growth I've experienced from playing volleyball is extraordinary and I don't know what I would do if I hadn't joined the team.

Piotr ‘27:

This is my third year playing with the LAS volleyball team and this year's team has been the best I have played with. I think the main reason for this is that we are so integrated as a team even outside of games—we are really motivated and we practice even outside of our official practices every week. The strongest aspect of the team is that we are also incorporated in the way a team should function—when one player wasn't having the best day, everybody else supported them and covered up their flaws.