Meet Weston volleyball player Paul Shin
WESTON, Mass. — Four years ago, a friend invited Paul Shin (18) to join her at a volleyball practice. The players’ welcoming nature and enthusiasm for the sport instantly drew him in – and he knew he wanted to play going forward. He joined a club team and also played for Weston High School’s (WHS) Boys Varsity team, where he has been captain for the past two seasons.
Being on the shorter side of male volleyball players (under 6’5”), Paul focused on becoming an expert backrow player, called a libero (or “lib” for short). As the foundation of the defense, Paul excels at receiving serves and skillfully passing hits to his setter. He also takes pride in lifting his teammates’ spirits and keeping the energy high on and off the court.
Paul’s love of volleyball and positive presence extended to the WHS Girls Varsity Volleyball team, where he served as their manager – always willing to “pepper” with a player, offer tips, or lend a hand with line ups and drills. His leadership and enthusiasm made a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed next season.
Congrats, Paul!
Interview with Paul:
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Paul Shin: To get to the point where I can confidently say that the team looks up to me both on and off the court, and to be the person that the team sees as someone to turn to for support and advice.
What do you love about your sport?
Shin: Every point is full of excitement, and the team dynamic in volleyball is truly unique. The focus is less about individual performance and centers on mutual support – everyone’s goal is to stay positive and lift each other up, because success depends on the whole team working together.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Shin: After making a mistake, I was told, ‘Make it up with a pass.’ It resonated with me, because I’m a lib, and all I do is pass. This advice reminds me to let go of the previous point and focus on the one ahead.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage it?
Shin: Volleyball is one of the most mental games, in my opinion – if you can’t get out of your own head, you become your greatest enemy. When that happens, I either take up more court to force myself into a confident mindset, or I step back and let others take up more court to give myself a moment to reset.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Shin: It’s not about YOU. On a team, you’re never alone – you’re surrounded by people working with you. Since you can’t touch the ball twice in a row in volleyball, you have no choice but to rely on your teammates, and that kind of trust isn’t something you find in individual sports.
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