When junior and captain of the CESJDS girls volleyball team Ellie Strisik walked into volleyball tryouts this year she was greeted by two new faces, the new girls varsity volleyball coach Juan Alcivar, and an unexpected one, Alcivar’s dog, Bear. After two years of volleyball with two different coaches, Strisik said she was excited to see what Alcivar brought to the team.
Ever since former varsity volleyball coach Patrick Dudash left the volleyball coaching position after the 2016-17 school year, the girls volleyball team shifted through different coaches. According to Director of Athletics Becky Silberman, the athletics department had trouble finding an experienced coach who could continue to grow the team’s skills, as many members play at a higher level on club teams. However, Silberman and players like Strisik feel that Alcivar has the expertise that the team was looking for.
After discovering his passion for volleyball in middle school, Alcivar’s volleyball journey began. He continued to play volleyball throughout high school and then became a coach. His experience includes his most recent position as head varsity volleyball coach at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and leading various clinics and camps for his volleyball club, Bears Volleyball Club.
According to Strisik, Alcivar’s past experience in coaching has proven to be very beneficial in helping the team improve their overall skills but also focusing on individuals’ areas for growth.
“He says that defense, serve, receive and serving are the three main components that can make the team better, and he really focuses on that when we’re in games and also in practices,” Strisik said. “He’s also really helped me specifically with my defense and covering more on the court. He’s really motivated me to go for every ball, and even if I don’t think I can get there, just going. He really has changed my mindset about how I can play.”
In addition to working on the current volleyball team’s skills, Alcivar is focused on the future of the team. While he dedicates a lot of time to the varsity team in practices and games, he plans to give the junior varsity team opportunities to train with him as well.
“I want to make sure the whole program is elevated,” Alcivar said. “I don’t just think about the varsity. I always think about the players that are coming up… Last season, before I got here, we didn’t really get a chance to get an off season, so I want to make sure we get an off season, get the girls ready and just be able to compete at a high level and get them to compete against better schools.”
The addition of Alcivar to the girls varsity volleyball team has left himself and players, like Strisik, with a mutual feeling of excitement for the future of the team.
“I love it [coaching at JDS],” Alcivar said. “It feels like I found where I needed to be. I’ve coached in many places and this, right here, feels like home.”
