Having previously coached club volleyball for six years, as well as having coached JV boys’ volleyball and assisting boys’ and girls’ varsity for four years, coach Steve Chiou stepped up to lead the girls’ varsity team this year.

The position had been vacant after longtime coach Brad Frederickson decided to leave the team for personal reasons.

“It was a really hard decision for him, but we understand and support his decision,” senior outside hitter and captain Riley Carter said.

Chiou was a clear choice with his experience in coaching volleyball from years prior.

Chiou’s coaching career in club volleyball began when his children, 2015 alumna Nicole Chiou and junior Derek Chiou started playing volleyball in middle school. For the players, club volleyball is a greater investment, adding an extra 6 to 8 months on the regular season, according to Chiou.

“I started coaching, because I wanted to be more than a fan on the bleachers,” Chiou said. ”I felt that I could be a better supporter if I was ‘hands-on.’”

According to Derek Chiou, he was first taught by his father at a young age and he is now used to it. Coach Chiou is able to give feedback and monitor Derek's progress closely.

Chiou likes running drills that focus on passing and serving during practice.

Though he is reserved in manner, Chiou speaks with impact and intent when giving feedback to the players, according to Carter.

Chiou hopes the players can get into gear and improve themselves to reach CCS. Junior outside hitter Katie Hulme says that the more focused practices are better for the team.

“Even though we don’t play music or mess around, playing volleyball is still fun and awesome with Coach Chiou,” Hulme said.

The team went 5-3 during the preseason against some highly competitive teams, which helped them prepare for the league season, according to Carter. At the most recent tournament at Westmoor High School, they placed third out of 12 teams. Their first league game against Los Altos High School on Sept. 14 ended in a 3-1 loss.