By Eric Poe/sports editor
NE Volleyball Club leader Neal Dao is on a mission.
“My objective: Make the student love volleyball,” he said.
Dao, a NE network communication services worker, offers his Tuesday and Friday afternoons to help teach the game he loves.
“I try and help how I can,” he said. “We have a lot of students who love volleyball, and I try to help them learn how to play.”
Dao said he helped the club grow from its original state.
“I joined and was the third member,” he said. “So I started going to the Student Center and stand around and recruit people. The next step was announcements on CampusCruiser. We went from three to 40 members, but all of the 40 doesn’t show up most times.”
Dao tries to impart his volleyball wisdom on every member.
“I ask students, ‘Do you want to play rec at the level you’re at now, or do you want to make changes and learn?’” he said. “If you learn volleyball, you can teach your grandkids and kids. Volleyball is like riding a bike when you are 7 years old. You’ll never forget.”
NE student Josh Simpson helps Dao on the court.
“I guess I’m a student representative,” he said. “I want to create some structure on the court to make it fun as possible.”
Simpson said he tries to make other players around him improve.
“I am trying to turn the mediocre players into the advanced category,” he said. “There is a lot of potential out here. I just have to identify the ones who want to get better.”
Simpson said this semester’s turnouts for the club have been a little disappointing.
“We had 20-22 people each time last semester,” he said. “But with only about 12, it’s not as much fun. It’s more fun with more people.”
One of the consistent attendees, NE student Elizabeth Perez, said the club gives her an athletic outlet.
“I figured in college, I should start doing something active,” she said.
“I was searching for a volleyball club when I got here, and I found it. I really enjoy it. And with these people, we can get together outside of school and play more.”
Dao said Volleyball Club is good for college students.
“It is exercise,” he said. “It relieves stress, lets the students have fun and network. They need this.”
