Pearl City’s Sean Chang has had great success as a member of the boys soccer and volleyball teams. Currently Chang is among the leading defensive specialist on the first place volleyball squad. “I like volleyball because you play more games in a night and it can be pretty exciting especially when the games are close,’ Chang said.

Chang says that playing sports has helped him to remain focused in the classroom. “Playing helps keep my grades up. I know that I won’t be playing if my grades are low. So I spend as much time studying as I do practicing either sport,” the senior acknowledged.

Pearl City opened the Oahu Interscholastic Association RED WEST division with victories over Waipahu 26-24, 25-23 and against Aiea 25-14, 22-15, 15-8. The Chargers finished tied first place in the RED WEST division along with Leilehua in 2010 with each having an 11-1 record.

“Pearl City has a great tradition in volleyball so it’s an honor to be able to play. I didn’t start volleyball until the eighth grade and I thought it was fun so I worked hard at developing my skills.”

Although soccer and volleyball uses balls that are similar Chang says he’s able to adjust.

“When you are in the game my mind has different settings. I know that when I play soccer I can only use my feet in kicking the ball on the ground and with volleyball I know that the goal is to not let the ball touch the ground when the ball is on our side of the court. I can just naturally adjust,” Chang said.

“My family has been a big supporter in my efforts to play both soccer and volleyball. But they insist that I do my school work first then sports. This has taught me to be consistent in my studying which I’m sure will help me once I attend college,” Chang said.