Volleyball star Yize Dong, recipient of the Cal Hi Student Athlete of the Year Award and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recruit, is quick to divert the praise he receives for his exceptional high school athletic career to his teammates, friends and coaches.
For instance, Dong credits coach Dave Chen with helping him in his rehab from a broken arm preceding his senior season. “Dave has been helping me through so much. He sent me therapeutic putties so I could start getting my strength back. There’s been a lot of support from everybody” Dong said.
Dong has since rebounded from his injury and has led the Cougars to a 34-3 overall record and a section championship.
“He’s always been a great athlete who is self driven to improve both physically and academically. Over the years he’s been able to open up and learn the dynamics of the team culture. It’s hard to believe that he didn’t play competitively before coming to us, but that his own self motivation to improve has propelled him to his current standing,” Chen said.
Dong’s teammates agree with there coach. Dong has been a difference maker for the team. “Yize is great. He brings a ton of fire and energy to the court and really gets us all really fired up. He’s one of our most important players,” said sophomore attacker Gage Worsley.
After arriving from North Carolina 3 years ago, Dong has helped the team win 3 consecutive league and section titles, and 2 Division II NorCal Championships.
Dong was named an All League player in 2013 and 2014. In 2014 he was named Most Valuable Player of the DFAL.
Chen is excited that his high school standout will continue with the sport in college. “I’m very excited that he’s been accepted into MIT which was a huge goal of his. He has worked hard for the opportunity to be part of a great establishment, such as MIT” he said.
“He is a great example of what a student athlete aspires to be and getting into MIT is his reward for the effort he has put into volleyball and the classroom for many years,” added athletic director Tom Renno.
True to his character, Dong credits his teammates for helping him succeed. “I can’t even begin to describe it. We’re like a big happy family. I know that on and off the court they’ve got my back,” he explained.
His coach believes that his success has a lot to do with how well he is able to maintain a balance between athletics and academics. “It’s the fact that he is constantly busy that keeps his time management skills sharp. But to tell you the truth, the demands he does place on himself is so high, sometimes I really don’t know how he does it all,” Chen said.
“Yize works really hard and manages his time effectively. But it all comes back to his work ethic and drive and that is what makes Yize unique,” added Renno.
According to Renno, Dong’s Cal Hi Award is “a great honor for Yize, his coaches, and the Campolindo community and highlights the student athlete we are all working to develop.”
“I was really happy,” Dong said. “Just being able to apply [for the award] was such a great honor. It was amazing.”
Dong also plays for Diablo Valley Volleyball Club, and has played on the USA 2012 Men’s Youth Continental Team as their number 1 setter. He was also the number 1 setter for the USA Men’s Youth National A2 team in 2013.
The MIT men’s volleyball team is in need of a setter. Last season, according to Dong, MIT was forced to use a player that was unfamiliar with the setting position.
“I think he will be an amazing contributor to his collegiate team. All students that are accepted to MIT are there for their academic strengths, therefore being athletic enough to play collegiate sports is a bonus. Therefore I know from his ability to manage his time well yet still pursue this passion of volleyball, will go hand in hand,” said Chen.
“He’s a very driven individual who is passionate about everything he does. This keeps him focused on becoming the best at everything he does. This is also what will make him successful in his future endeavors,” Chen said.
