By Eric Poe/sports editor

To be the best, you have to beat the best.

That is what NE Volleyball Club coach Neal Dao plans to do when his team takes on NW Campus in the Intercampus Volleyball Challenge April 17. 

“I’m kind of scared,” he said with a laugh. “I heard on NW Campus they are club players, so I’m sure they’re pretty good. And most of my players play church volleyball.”

The volleyball challenge was organized by Dao, who thinks it will become a TCC tradition.

“I hope other campus intramural departments will also join in and play with us,” he said. “We have a trophy, and we want to keep the trophy on the campus of the winner until the next semester. I hope we can do this two to three times a year.”

Dao, while excited for the challenge, wants to get more teams to play next semester.

“I hope at least three campuses play next time so we can play round robin,” he said. “Two is fun, but three and four is more fun.”

NW player Andy Sullivan said he liked the idea of the challenge becoming a tradition.

“It would be nice to play other campuses,” he said.

NE team captain Josh Simpson thinks his team might not be ready.

“Honestly, I’d say we are not prepared enough,” he said. “They have guys playing in leagues, but I’m going to be optimistic about it.”

Dao enjoys competition, but the reasons for the challenge are centered around the students.

“I want to promote student health, make sure they have a lot of fun and make sure they meet new friends,” he said.