Mountain View senior Richie Hamm is a modest guy.
"I don't think I'm really that amazing of a player," said Hamm. "I just have a lot of heart and I'm never going to give up, no matter what the score is."
Head coach Matt Dyck respectfully disagrees.
In a 3-2 home loss last Thursday to Salpointe, Hamm "was by far our best player," according to Dyck.
"We lost our last two games in five to Buena and Salpointe, and he had like 18 kills and 17 kills," added the coach.
In the Salpointe game, Hamm balanced those 17 team-leading kills with solid defense, adding 11 digs and two blocks.
While those kinds of on-the-court achievements are important, Hamm said his leadership role as the only senior on the team is just as crucial.
"It's a lot of pressure, I have to set an example for everybody," said Hamm. "I can't mess around too much because they're always looking for someone to look up to."
Hamm balances that pressure by carrying on a family interest in tattoos.
"I've got a lot of tattoos for a younger guy," he laughed.
With regionals and then the state playoffs on the horizon, Hamm knows his time with the team is drawing to a close, but is ready to make the most of the opportunity.
"I'm excited, but it's sad it's the end of the year, I'm not quite ready to go yet," Hamm said.
"Every game I play, I play like it's the last ball I'm going to touch," he added.
If Hamm has his way, he won't be touching that last volleyball any time soon – he wants to play at the University of Arizona next season.
