As the Rocklin High School (RHS) varsity volleyball team gets ready for the rest of the season, they are excited to see what the new season will bring. This year, a new coaching staff led by Bret Almazan-Cezar shows a promising future. One of the standout features of Mr. Almazan-Cezar’s coaching style is his emphasis on creating a relaxed environment. Mr. Almazan-Cezar plays more relaxed music rather than the typical “hype” music that this and other teams have played before.
Giana Bogan, a starting junior outside hitter shared, “I think it makes you play better because you just come in more relaxed and calm.”
This mindset is crucial, especially for the team needing to live up to high expectations this year — last year, they were in the running to win state. By creating a high-pressure practice, the team will be able to perform just as usual in a very pressured situation such as game point in playoffs. Players report feeling more confident and prepared, with many saying how this warm-up helps calm their nerves before games. “It helps with your mindset going into the game,” Bogan shared. The relaxed atmosphere calms them and helps them tune out the world around them and focus on volleyball.
The inclusion of three freshmen this year has also re-energized team spirit. “It’s really fun having the freshmen on the team. They’re just so fun to be around,” Bogan said, emphasizing the sisterly bonds forming within the team. This friendship not only helps team chemistry but also makes practices more enjoyable, creating a positive experience.
Mr. Almazan-Cezar’s background in marching band plays an important role in his coaching techniques. He applies rules and lessons from marching band, where precision and teamwork are essential.
“I was taught in marching band, we were there to be perfect [and] if we can play volleyball perfectly, then we’ll be successful, and the scoreboard will take care of itself,” he said. This focus on perfection shows in Mr. Almazan-Cezar’s practices, which are structured to work around one skill. It can be difficult to keep focus while focusing on one skill, but he said, “Every single rep is a championship rep.” Making sure every touch is the best they can do will show in game situations when it has been a long game and they are in a close situation.
The coaching staff’s size has also been a game changer, allowing for more individualized instruction. “With a bigger coaching staff, players receive more personalized feedback,” Mr. Almazan-Cezar said. Each player getting the one-on-one guidance they need makes all the difference in their gameplay and helps them all around as an athlete. Having more coaches allows the team to run a practice where they work on one skill at a time, called a block, as a team and gradually progress to more complex, game-like situations.
“We check for understanding of what we learned in the block,” Mr. Almazan-Cezar explained, making sure that each player is engaged and understanding the drills. Understanding what they have learned will translate into the game and help them perform to their best ability.
With the new coaching staff, the varsity volleyball team is not only doing well with the change but also getting individualized help and coming together as a team.
