Senior Emilio Bunnel is no stranger to competition. As a varsity member of the soccer and volleyball team, Bunnel stays active and involved throughout the school year. Next year, he will pursuing another passion, baseball, at Palomar College.

LL: How long have you been playing volleyball?

EB: I started playing volleyball freshman year, so about four years now.

LL: How did you get into volleyball?

EB: My friend, Connor, brought me to a tournament and I had just quit baseball so I figured why not.

LL: What type of player are you?

EB: I’m a very relaxed player but I’m focused when I need to be. I’m the short guy on the team, the Libero, so I pass a lot.

LL: What is your favorite part of volleyball?

EB: It’s the rush when you dig a ball and the crowd goes wild. I just like to have a good time on the court with my teammates, it’s a great group of guys and we always have a good time.

LL: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

EB: Personally, I just like to hang out with my friends before a game. Other times, however, when it’s an important game, Coach Tomkinson takes us into his office for a gong session. A gong sessions is when we go into a dark room and ring a gong to get us prepared for the game.

LL: Who inspires you?

EB: My mother inspires me because she’s such a hard worker and does so much for me every day. She’s the real MVP.

LL: What is your favorite memory from volleyball?

EB: This season, we were playing LCC in a tournament, and our first two setters were both injured, so I had to come in and set. We won the game and I went front row, and I’m a short guy! That was definitely my favorite memory.