Overcoming tough circumstances, Albert Chavez always gives his
best.
Ever been startled by the sound of rolling thunder?
There is that shoulder shake as if you are shrugging, followed by that weird tingling in your stomach, and it kind of makes you laugh afterward.
That boom is similar to the noise that reverberates throughout the gym when Gilroy High senior Albert Chavez cleanly connects with the volleyball for one of his ferocious kills – an echo that certainly leaves a handful of spectators with a gut full of butterflies.
“I’m just trying to get as many kills for the team as I can when I’m up front and as many digs as I can when I’m in back,” Chavez said. “What gives me satisfaction in a game is the feeling I get when I hit it hard.”
Chavez leads the Tri-County Athletic League in kills this season, in fact, it’s not even close. The senior outside hitter has racked up 347 points via kills – an average of nearly five per set. And there are still two games left in the regular season.
“He definitely brings excitement when he goes up to hit,” coach Josh Corioso said. “When he’s going up, for the most part, you know there is going to be an explosion.”
His numbers are remarkable, and a big reason why the Mustangs are oh so close to their first-ever league championship.
“I never expected to win so much,” Chavez said. “(A league championship) is just another goal on my list that I want to accomplish.”
Chavez doesn’t show a lot of outward emotion on the volleyball court. Despite being able to make even the grittiest volleyball players look like a squirrel dodging an oncoming car as they try to defend a head-turning spike, Chavez still remains subdued in
celebration.
“I’m usually pretty nervous during the games,” Chavez said. “I try to keep the composure and not get too ahead of myself. If something bad happens, I’ll get the next one.”
The joy he has playing volleyball is perfectly illustrated with a quick smile, and that’s all it takes.
However, his outward display of calm and collected on the court doesn’t reflect the tumult in his family life. Before the season started, Chavez wasn’t sure if he would play.
And ironically, volleyball has become the tie that keeps the family together.
Chavez began playing volleyball around the age of 8 at the park on Sunday afternoons with his family, he said. Though separated now, the sport closes the gap just a little, and perhaps eases some of the pain.
“I’ve always loved playing ever since I was little,” Chavez said. “My dad always helped me. It’s inspiration for me. I’m working at school just to be on the team.”
Chavez’s mood quickly changes as he speaks of his father. His voice trickles away at the end of each thought, swallowing away the lump that builds in his throat.
“It was really tough,” Chavez said. “Ever since I was little he would take me to work and when I got home from school I would always follow him around. I felt pretty lost without him.”
Five months ago, after a five-year legal struggle to gain citizenship, a judge denied the request and Chavez’s father was sent back to Mexico where he must stay for at least two years.
It’s obvious he doesn’t like speaking about situation his family has endured over the past few months. However, it’s the reality they face, and along with the sadness, Chavez also voices a bit of anger.
“My dad is a good guy. For the most part he has been more than a model citizen,” he said.
Chavez has battled the academic demons during his senior year, and his loaded schedule of class, work and volleyball have hampered some of his studies.
“There are a lot of things on my mind,” Chavez said. “Anatomy is pretty challenging for me. I’ll get my school work done but every now and then I slack off.”
With the help of Corioso and Scott Martin, who run the boys varsity team together, Chavez is on track to graduate, thanks to a little tough love from his coaches.
Chavez was held out of a match against Palma last week – a match the Mustangs lost.
“We had a conversation with Albert last week,” Martin said. “We saw that he was not taking care of a couple things in class that he needed to be taking care of, so we made the decision to send him a message.
“At this point, volleyball cannot be the No. 1 priority in his life. Essentially he is the man of his household. That high school diploma is going to be huge for him.”
That message was heard loud and clear.
“(Graduating) is my top priority right now,” Chavez said. “Without my high school diploma I’d basically go nowhere. I’m doing it for my dad.”
Thursday night was senior night for the boys volleyball team. Chavez was joined by his mom.
“My mom has always supported me in volleyball,” he said. “When I ask to go to a friend’s house she is a little hesitant, but when I want to go to a park to practice she says go ahead.”
