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Sports

Venice High Junior Leads on and Off the Court

Patch takes a closer look at Daniel Kim, captain of the Venice High boys tennis team.

Daniel Kim is the junior captain for the Venice High boys tennis team. He has won both of his matches this year, leading the Gondoliers' varsity squad to a 1-1 record. The team is composed of several inexperienced players and some flat-out beginners, but Kim has taken the task of leading them with open arms.

“I advise the JV to work together as a group and also to take private lessons to succeed at the beginning," Kim says. "I also tell them to take opportunities to grasp every single moment as they grow.”

Kim understands that as a captain, he must lead by example both on and off the court in order for his teammates to become not only better players, but better people.

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“I socialize with all of the players and ask them about their lives. One thing I always tell them is to play the backboard because that’s the best person you can face is yourself," he says.

Head coach Randy Chew has noticed a huge difference in the confidence level of his junior captain, and believes that his leadership is unparalleled.

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“He has really matured and stepped into his role as captain with confidence," Chew says of Kim. "He’s had to make a lot of sacrifices, and it’s made him a better player and a better person.”

The tennis court is not the only place where Kim plays the role of leader. He also leads a young Christian organization on campus which meets every Thursday at lunch. Kim talks with fellow students about the great life lessons his religion has given him.

“I help people realize Christ and tell them about Christianity," Kim says of his faith. "I also answer their questions and I talk about God. I reach out to people and try to uplift them."

Still only a junior, Kim has yet to think much about where he will be after high school. However, he knows he is prepared, thanks to the skills he has learned in both tennis and his faith group.

“It has made me grow into more of a leader because I was a young person like them and then I started stepping it up and I’ve been nicer to people and I get along with more people," he says. "It has been a great experience.”

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