Senior Kristian Jimenez started playing volleyball in sixth grade at his middle school, Antioch Upper Grade School. Not only was he a volleyball player there, but he ran track and field and cross country for the Warriors as well. Out of school he played baseball and football. Starting early was good for Jimenez because it helped him get on the varsity team for all four years at ACHS. He had loved the opportunity from the start because it gave him the ability to learn from his peers that are older than him.

According to junior teammates Connor Flatley and Kyle Jilly, Jimenez is not only very athletic, but he is also a very positive leader on the court

“Kristian is a very positive senior leader and he helps us with certain things in volleyball if we ask him,” Flatley said.

Jimenez is an outside hitter which means he hits and blocks from the outside spot in the front row of the volleyball court majority of the time. One of Jimenez’s favorite parts about volleyball is the way that the team has to work together to do well.

“One of my favorite things about volleyball is the teamwork that it creates. It is one of the most crucial aspects to having a successful team,” Jimenez said.

The only way to help improve others is to be constantly improving yourself and Jimenez has been working to improve himself constantly. He feels the biggest spot he has improved on is communicating with his teammates on and off the court. The more he does it, the more it has become second nature to him on the court to help create a good flow with his teammates to know where to go and hit the ball.

Teamwork will not only win games but it will also bring them closer off the court and create a good bond, which Jimenez is hoping him and the team can accomplish.

“I haven’t played with many of the guys that are on the team so I hope to create some sort of connection that’ll bring us all closer as a team,” Jimenez said.

Senior Robert McGinn feels Jimenez is a very positive person in general and a born leader.

“Kristian is just a very respectful and kind person,” McGinn said. “There’s no show with him on and off the court. He doesn’t take things for granted and he’s always pushing himself to be better even though he’s one of the best people on the team.”

Jimenez has an optimistic look on this upcoming season and is hoping him and his team can win a regional.