News at Buckley

Spotlight on Buckley: Anthony Mezzavilla

Girls varsity volleyball head coach Anthony Mezzavilla and 1978 girls varsity volleyball head coach (and one of our current assistant head coaches) Rae Basmagian sit down to talk about this year's exciting journey to the CIF championships.
Q: What was so special about this team and this season?
Anthony: I think the senior leadership was a special part of the team this year and the team's focus on the result of their play. Not just winning and losing, but our relentless pursuit to play the best we possibly can at all times. That was a big difference maker. 
Rae: We had a lot of specific talents that came together to defeat opponents: serving, great defense, great balance of hitting power, and an absolutely amazing setter. 

Q: What are your own personal coaching philosophies?
Anthony: As a UCLA Bruin, I am deeply rooted in Coach John Wooden's philosophies. Therefore, I really tried to avoid saying 'win' throughout the season. Our focus was on playing the best we are capable of playing, setting small goals that would benefit us in the long run, and fighting for each other because the team is always more important than the individual. 
Rae: I want athletes to have a positive experience while I hopefully instill in them a passion for the sport and a never-give-up mentality in competition and in life.

Q: What was your favorite memory from this season?
Anthony: It is hard not to say the CIF Championship match, but I think the match before against Upland Christian was my favorite memory. The Buckley gym was standing room only, it was the only time we had gone to a fifth set all season, the girls played with such heart, and grit I will never forget that atmosphere or the team's performance. I was one proud coach when we scored that fifteenth point. 
Rae: Other than winning the CIF championship, our five-set victory over Upland Christian, winning 15-12 in the fifth game which was tied at 11, was definitely exciting!

Q: What are your goals for the program going forward?
Anthony: To avoid complacency and build great student-athletes who are proud to be part of the program. As the program director, I am looking for athletes who completely buy into the philosophy that hard work pays off. It's not always easy, but it is worth it.
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