COYNE BORN TO BE WILD
Neuqua Valley senior setter’s numbers back up donning of unusual attire
Alex Coyne’s twin sister, Erin, has been dancing since they were both 3 years old. His parents even signed him up for a class when he was younger, but as soon as he peered into the dance studio, he turned and ran.
“I was too nervous with all the girls in there,” he said.
Coyne might not be dangerous on the dance floor, but he’s one cool customer on the volleyball court. Neuqua Valley’s 6-3 senior setter has led the No. 10 Wildcats to a 26-5 record including the championship of last weekend’s Benet tournament, where he was named MVP.
“What makes volleyball so enjoyable is that I get to play a sport with a group of guys I love,” he said. “I really enjoy going to practice every day. I love getting better. It’s fun. I love a sport where everyone needs to give it their all.
“I remember watching the varsity team as a freshman,” Coyne added. “I was like, ‘Wow!’ They could jump so high and block so well. I remember thinking, ‘Are we ever going to be that good?’ ’’
They are, and Coyne and his 544 assists, 14 kills, 39 blocks and 56 digs are a big reason.
“Alex is the epitome of a teammate,” coach Erich Mendoza said. “He never yells or gets down on the guys, whether it’s in practice or during matches. Even when we’re in a tight spot, he is nothing but encouraging.
“He’s always joking around or wearing goofy headbands or kneepads that don’t match. He loves to keep the mood light. But when it’s time to work, he works just as hard if not harder than anyone else on the team.”
Although he plays an indoor sport, Coyne still has a soft spot in his heart for the outdoors. As a youngster, he was active in scouting, reaching the level of Star Scout before the demands of school, scouting and volleyball became too much.
“I really enjoyed camping, rock climbing, archery, riflery,” he said. “We’d go camping for a week or 10 days and at the end all the troops would compete against each other. It was really cool. It was a great experience.”
He even found a new use for his old Cub Scouts handkerchief. Wearing a bandana started out as a joke earlier this season. But now it has become somewhat of a trademark, although he has taken some ribbing from opposing fans.
“The fans at St. Charles North were talking to me during the match about my bandana,” he said. “They thought it was really funny. But I can take all the jokes and all the insults coming my way.”
That’s because Coyne plans on having the last laugh.
“I really do feel we have a good shot at doing well in the state tournament,” he said. “We have a real solid team all the way around. We were the bench mob last year, but now we want to show what we can do.”
Which, by the way, does not include the Harlem Shake.