Playing beach volleyball means participants get to play a growing sport and enjoy some great weather in the process. For one Mission Bay senior, he’s getting the best of both worlds.
Ian Briski, a member of the No. 1 sand volleyball team (fall season) for the Buccaneers and an outside hitter for the indoor team (spring season), is netting success throughout the school year.
Mission Bay head volleyball coach Nikki Caufield noted: “Ian has been on the varsity squad all four years and he and his partner, Dusty Schraeder, have been our most consistent pair. For the last couple of years, they have been our No. 1 pair and always had to face the top team from every school we play. Ian is a really positive guy both on and off the court.”
Caufield added that Briski’s nickname on the team is “Mr. Volleyball.”
While this is Briski’s final season with the Buccaneers, Caufield believes the sky is the limit.
“If Ian and his partner continue to work hard and develop their game they have a really good chance of competing to be one of the top three teams in the county,” Caufield said. “For the team, we look to him for his positive attitude, leadership, and skills to help develop and lead the younger players.”
Beach & Bay Press recently caught up with Briski. BBP: What got you interested in beach volleyball and when did you first start playing?
Briski: I became interested in volleyball due to my mom’s love for the sport. For as long as I can remember I have been passing the ball with my mom and older sister and playing family games at the beach. However, it’s only been in the last couple of years that volleyball has become such a big focus. BBP: How has the program improved over the last several years?
Briski: When Nikki and Jeff Caufield restarted the boys’ volleyball program at MBHS, four years ago, the team consisted of about 15 boys, which was surprising for a school so close to the beach. Every year since then, the team has grown, and this year we had well over 30 boys hoping to play beach volleyball. We have a great group of seniors this year and we hope to be very competitive. BBP: What goals do you have being this is your last season with the team?
Briski: I hope we have a successful beach season and that I can help lead our team deep into the playoffs. I also hope that my partner, Dusty Schraeder, and I make a good run in the individual varsity tournament. In the spring, I am looking forward to another great indoor season, and hoping this year we can be competitive further into CIF. BBP: Are you planning on college next year and perhaps playing volleyball too?
Briski: I am planning on going to college and hoping to stay somewhere in California. Beach volleyball is not yet a collegiate sport for boys, but hopefully, I will be somewhere close to the beach where I can continue to play. BBP: What advice would you have for any kids coming out for the program next season? Briski: I would encourage them to take advantage of living by the beach and play as much as they can because the game gets more and more fun as your level increases. Beach volleyball is a great sport that you continue to play for the rest of your life.
