Dominic Hernandez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

For many years, there has been a big topic of interest in the sports world that continues to evolve every single time it is brought up. The diversity among teams and sports in general arises whenever there is an issue or someone is able to do something for the first time.

High school sports have always been a hotbed of diversity for allowing students from all walks of life to mingle with each other and appreciate each other’s differences. Mountain Pointe focuses on this topic effectively by promoting an all-inclusive community that is accepting of people from all walks of life. 

One of these communities at the forefront of this is the school's girls volleyball team. Being a smaller community has allowed the team to become closer and more tightly knit, supporting each other through hardships. 

“I think the volleyball program at Mountain Pointe is definitely more family-like and has a very good atmosphere about it,” said Pride libero Jordan Woods.

“I have friends who I text after every game to compliment her on how she did and ask her if she needs help with anything at all,” Woods said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, Jordan feels that now more than ever is when the team needs to really unite and stay together to get through this as one team. She feels that the diversity on the team has allowed each athlete to grow closer as teammates and appreciate what makes each one of them special. 

“She is always hanging out with every single girl without ignoring any of them, causing them to become a more united community around her,” said Mountain Pointe volleyball coach Andrew Yamashiro.

He sees the advantage of having her as a leader, especially through these rough times, as promoting unity among them will allow them to be the best version the team can be. Diversity has been his focus of not excluding anyone in the group and making sure everyone’s voice can be heard without being ignored. 

Yamashiro also mentioned how important the diverse players on a team can be, so overlooking this topic is a big misstep in the makings of a team that is a contender in the playoffs. There inevitably will be issues with this topic, but he feels that with a level head and helping the individuals to understand complex issues, it will help them understand that differences can be good.

“I always tell them that you should never judge someone just because they are different than you and instead appreciate what these differences mean in the grand scheme of things,” Yamashiro said.

“No matter who you are or where you came from, you will find acceptance and tolerance in this group with only support when times get tough,” added Yamashiro, staring thoughtfully into the distance.

The school looks at each individual as someone who can achieve great things so they will never judge someone on who they were, only on the ways they can improve who they are now. 

“We will help all those in need and help students any way we can with no judgements about their situations with further development on how to improve their character so they can be successful in the future,” said Aaron Frana, Mountain Pointe athletic director. 

As more and more students pass through the school, faculty and coaches alike are looking for different ways to promote a community that appreciates what makes each individual unique from the other. They aim to create a place where it is OK for students to be their selves and be safe from any danger of being judged based on their background, creating an environment where the students are more self-aware and leading to a society of people being appreciative and tolerant of the uniqueness of each person.