FROM THE ISLANDS TO INDIANA
wouldn’t be the athlete I am today,” Thompson adds. Despite the depar- ture, Thompson recognizes the value that will come from the shift. “I am always excited when I get to go to like camps or open gyms or travel to dif- ferent places where I’m playing for someone else, not just my coach here, because I know that everybody’s go- ing to have different perspectives on certain technical things and see the game in different ways which is ex- citing because that helps you grow so much more as an athlete.” “[Working with a new coach] helps you see different perspectives, different points of view and commu- nication. You always have to commu- nicate on the volleyball court so that you and your teammates are on the same page and flowing throughout the game. If you’re communicative and making sure you’re absorbing as much information as possible, your level of play starts to increase and that obviously will make you feel a lot better.” That said, Thomp- son has already been working with the Ball State coach. “I am already pretty close with my college coach,” he said. “The two coaches definitely have very similar traits which helps me feel a lot more comfortable.” If his court game is any indication, the youth exemplifies a flexibility that lends itself to meeting the physical rigor and academic achievement de- manded for players on the D1 team. “Of course you’re there for ac- ademics, but your sport is going to take up the majority of your time,” Thompson acknowledged. The youth
14 AMA | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
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