Junior Brendan Ling has proven himself to be a versatile athlete and leader in both bowling and volleyball. This bowling season, he led the team with the highest average score of 132, 2,515 total pins, and season high score of 187. This volleyball season, he currently ranks second in aces and kills in the 1A Queens 1 division with 14 aces and 22 kills.
From an early age, Brendan participated in basketball, baseball, flag football, and other sports to stay active and healthy. Upon entering high school, he continued to explore sports, and joined the boys varsity volleyball, track, and bowling teams. His motivation to pursue athletics stems from his commitment to self-improvement. “Whether it be obtaining a new [personal record] or slamming the ball into the court, I want to be the best version of myself,” he said.
Now in his junior year of high school, he has been chosen to be the captain of both the boys varsity bowling and boys varsity volleyball teams, with his talent and leadership highlighted by coaches and teammates across the two sports.
Boys varsity bowling coach Kevin Lau said that although bowling is an individual sport, “[Brendan] still prioritizes the growth of others around him because he believes in the contribution of high-performance throughout the whole team.”
Similarly, boys varsity bowling co-captain and junior Albert Khyan described Brendan as “very open to communication” and “very supportive.” Albert said that his positive energy allows him to stand out as a leader, especially “during huddles [in] the way that he speaks to [the team] …and gives feedback.”
Coaches and teammates have seen Brendan mature throughout high school both as an athlete and a person. Coach Lau said, “Brendan has grown tremendously from being a quiet, soft-spoken individual to one who speaks with confidence and leadership qualities.” Aside from bowling, Brendan said he was inspired to pick up volleyball by his friends and online videos. He learned to play on his own and soon developed a fondness for the sport, leading him to pursue it in high school. As a captain, he places an emphasis on team morale on the court.
Senior Brian Merino, a boys varsity volleyball co-captain, said that Brendan “brings a very calm and collected energy to the team. He’s always consistent in his level of play in games, creating opportunities for us to gain points and win.”
Sharing the same sentiment, his volleyball teammates said that Brendan is selfless and committed to putting others first for the benefit of the team. Junior volleyball team member Jacob Castillo said Brendan is “always willing to help me on the court, whether it’s with basic skills or more advanced things. He takes time out of his own day to support me, and that’s helped me become a better and more confident player.”
Brendan plans on continuing his athletic career, albeit not on the collegiate level, but through smaller club leagues or at recreational centers. Through his journey, Brendan advises younger athletes beginning their high school athletic careers to stay consistent. “Don’t give up because you can always improve. Observe more experienced players and learn from them. Never stop trying,” he said.
