Aiden Coronel has been playing volleyball with Ayala for the past two years it has been available as a sport. He has left his impact, receiving multiple scholarships and offers to play volleyball in college, and by building a strong connection with his teammates and coaches. Coronel plans to play volleyball at the next level in Rome, Italy, with the Rome City Institute.
“I can just be myself out there,” said Coronel.
Volleyball is a free-flowing sport that comes naturally to Coronel. He plays the outside position using his height and athleticism to his advantage. But he isn’t just naturally gifted; he is a hard worker, too. Having also played club volleyball for two years, as well as taking private lessons, Coronel is always trying to perfect his craft and get better every day.
“On the court, [I] practice things [such as] doing some technical work and just learning to fix my weaknesses,” said Coronel.
When it came to making the decision to play in Rome, Coronel knew he wanted to still get the same experiences a student may get exploring a new city and university, but also be able to compete and play volleyball.
“Honestly, I had a couple of other offers, but going out of the country just interests me, as well as the food. All the new experiences, just a whole new culture that I want to get out of college,” said Coronel.
Going away from home for school is one thing. But for sports, it is a completely different experience, and you have to build a strong bond with your teammates. Especially in a new environment, they will be the people you see the most. Luckily for Coronel, he is a great teammate and an even greater leader. Speaking highly of his fellow teammates, he always has their backs and refers to them as family.
“He has helped me this year with how to transition to be on the court, how to swing, and my footwork. Aiden has been a very helpful and good teammate, and I could just go to [him] about anything,” said senior teammate Blake Frausto.
He has that understanding of the game, having played multiple positions before, and is able to help his teammates out and be an unselfish teammate.
“In a game one time, I was setting up really badly for him, and he told me to calm down. He said, ‘you got it,’ encouraging me. And next set, I set him the ball, and he smacked it,” said senior teammate Brandon Perez.
Being able to have calm nerves and confidence is extremely important. And in a game like volleyball, the team must be working like a well-oiled machine, being able to flow off of each other and have good communication and chemistry. Coronel has played a positive role in not only making sure he is doing everything that he can to be successful, but also helping make the team successful.
“And it’s not like a big, big team. There’s only 16 of us, so it’s kind of like a family,” said Coronel.
They are a tight-knit group, and with the bonds and experience Coronel has made at the high school level, it makes sense as to why the volleyball team has been so successful in its existence at Ayala. The goal for Coronel is to continue the success and finish his senior season strong, as well as continue working hard and reaping the benefits of competing at the collegiate level of volleyball in the beautiful city of Rome.
