Athlete of the Week: Alec Hernandez

With a strong passion for the game and a positive attitude on and off the court, senior Alec Hernandez is the lone-captain of the first-ever historic Exeter boys’ varsity volleyball team. Hernandez—a setter for the team—works harder than anyone, hustling everywhere on the court, always working to get a good set off to his teammates and staying after practice to work on his serves.Hernandez first picked up volleyball in eighth grade in Chile, in search of a new sport. He was originally unaware that boys too played volleyball. “I didn't realize that it was also a guys’ sport” Hernandez said.Until then, he was an avid basketball player. “I had been playing basketball for a long time and was ready for something new. I tried out and ended up loving volleyball and have stuck with it ever since.” He later served as a captain of his middle school squad and then continued his volleyball career at his high school as a freshman. However, when he arrived at Exeter as a new lower, he was left without a team to play for.After two years of hard planning and the school’s help, he is honored and excited to be a member of Exeter’s historic boys volleyball team. “I've been waiting for this season since my lower year two years ago and now that I'm playing on an actual varsity team it feels pretty great, not to mention that we're literally making history with the first team ever.”This year’s team features 14 players from varying classes and places around the globe, from Beijing, China to Halifax, Canada. “The team is really great—in total, we're 14 guys and it's pretty spread out through the different grades.”Despite players’ lack of experience, each player has learned the game quickly and is bonding together, thanks in part to Hernandez’s involvement. “What's impressive is that most of our team hasn't played before this season but they're picking it up really quickly,” Hernandez said.Hernandez believes that the team members’ love and effort for the game will pay off against their opponents. “Everyone's put a lot of effort into understanding the fundamentals of the game, which I'm sure will pay off during our first game.”He also stated that the knowledge of both coaches, Coach Johnny Griffith and Coach Bruce Shang, will help them achieve the team’s goal for the season. Prep Rachel Luo, a member of the girls’ volleyball who often helps out in the boys’ practices, added, “Our coaches, Coach Shang and Coach Griffith, are both fantastic and both know the sport very well which obviously drastically helps.”Besides being a talented and passionate volleyball player, as the team’s lone captain, Hernandez is a great example to all of the other players on the team. “Alec is always cheering everyone on, and staying positive,” Luo said.Hernandez can be found on the court even before the practices start, perfecting his serve and slam. “I can always find him at the courts before practice even starts, and when coach asks if anyone's staying after practice, Alec is usually one of those few people,” said Luo.While he is a very cheerful and an affectionate leader on the team, he also demonstrates focus and determination. Luo accounts a time when both coaches were absent and Hernandez stepped onto his role. “One practice, when both coaches were absent, Alec took over,” she said. “He got everyone together and calm and got them started on warmup. Shang ended up showing up, but if he hadn't, I can say with full confidence Alec could've run the practice.”His teammates are very accepting of their captain and appreciates the help he provides for the team. Lower Cesar Zamudio said the team is able to move forward with Hernandez’s expertise. “Alec was selected as captain because of his great leadership and his experience as a volleyball player,” Zamudio said. “He has played before and is always readily available to offer feedback as to how we're playing and everything.”Although Hernandez can be a serious teacher to the rest of the team, he is always smiling and cheering others on. “He is always encouraging us as well, praising us when we do something great, and picking us back up when we miss a serve or fail to get the ball over. Alec is a great guy and he is always smiling,” Zamudio said.Coach Shang couldn’t agree more with the teammate’s feelings of Hernandez. “Alec is an amazing captain of the volleyball team. He is very positive all the time and leads by example.  He arrives early and gives 100% every practice and his teammates appreciate it.  He is a great role model and leader for the younger players. I can always count on him on and off the court.”Hernandez is not only a great guy on the court, his warm personality also shines on the paths of Exeter. “Alec is truly one of the kindest people I've ever met. He is brilliant, he's hilarious and he's driven, which you can see both on and off of the court,” senior Jenny DiPietro said. “He is motivated yet extremely respectful, and will always go out of his way to make someone's day better.”Hernandez believes that the team’s hard work will result in a good season for the first ever boys’ volleyball team. “I think that we're in for a fantastic season, even if we don't have any home games.”