No Height Restrictions For Volleyball Player’s Passion

When Alina Chuong takes the volleyball court Thursday night, it will be her last prep volleyball game at the gym. Her passion for volleyball has developed into a loving relationship of the game, with each touch of the ball growing fawned. She has come a long way since her freshman year when she started off as a quiet player who kept to herself.

As she prepares to take the court, she has one wish for her team: To know they are good; they can play volleyball.

“I wish the team could express more love for the game,” said Chuong after a game. “If they mess up I want to help them pump it back up,” she said, explaining why she often screams from the bench and tries to restore the team's fire.

“I have a real passion for the game and hope in these last games the passion will rub off on the younger players,” Chuong.

Chuong’s sister Sirena (Renton High 2009 graduate) introduced her to volleyball in elementary school while Sirena played middle school volleyball. Chuong felt she could play the game, too. She began to play volleyball at Dimmitt, but it wasn’t until her freshman year that she came out of her shell. A fall talent show where she danced in front of her classmates showed her she could do anything, and gave her the confidence to take risks. Now she does that every game, every touch of the ball.

Another development her freshman year was club volleyball where the head coach showed Chuong how the game is played, including moving her from center, where her sister played to outside hitter. The new a position required strength and fast ability, and she was unsure of it given her “vertically challenged” status of four-foot ten-inches. The coach told her he believed in her abilities and potential.

“The position he picked for me was the best one for me,” said Chuong.

 “It’s hard to find a player who can play every position. I don’t care how tall you are. I hope the passionat rubs off on some of the girls,” said Renton Volleyball coach Rhemy King.  “Alina is a different breed of volleyball player. Others play because it’s something to do in the fall. They need to find why they love volleyball and Alina is trying. She will be hard to replace, we will have players come and plat her positions, but to replace her drive, passionate and leadership ability is going to be difficult.”

Once the last net is taken down for the season, Chuong knows where she can find a volleyball whether it’s recreational or playing in college. She doesn’t know what she would do without the sport, since she considers volleyball and school her life.

Favorite food - ALL food

Color – Teal

Movie –  Pirates of the Caribbean (all movies)

School – Band she plays the flute…catch her at football games

Last book – Treasure Island

Music – R and B

Number  - 2

Idolize – her sister, she did what she loved and she went for it.