Kyle Yu shocked the local volleyball community last spring when, as a freshman, he took over as the Titans’ setter and led the squad to a spot in the CIF playoffs.
He has sprouted a full four inches since last season, so when San Marino High School sophomore Kyle Yu trots onto the volleyball court this campaign, it’s a much different experience. The Titans’ setter was 5-foot-6 when the 2019 season came to an end but he finds himself a lot closer to the top of the net this year, having grown to 5-10.
Yu is an anomaly of sorts. A basketball player by trade, he didn’t begin playing volleyball until the 6th grade at Huntington Middle School, suiting up for the Foxes’ varsity squad all three years, mostly as a libero, or defensive specialist. In the 8th grade, he decided to switch to setter, the volleyball equivalent of the quarterback, who strives to receive a teammate’s pass and distribute it to a “hitter.” It’s a task he accomplishes quite well.
Last year, Yu quickly became the starting setter on the Titan varsity squad and led San Marino to a 6-2 record in the Rio Hondo League and a spot in the CIF playoffs — quite an achievement for a freshman.
But he does have a pedigree in the sport.
“My parents played, and I like to practice with them at home,” Yu said, referring to his mother, Kimi Tamura, and his father, Ted Yu.
Kyle Yu is also a rarity in that he doesn’t play club volleyball, having elected instead to continue his basketball career at SMHS.
“I like the intensity and the excitement of volleyball,” he said. “It is a fast-paced sport that relies on good teamwork and communication to be successful.”
Early on, Yu earned the respect of a very valuable group: his teammates.
“Frankly, I was surprised last year when coach Tony [Chou] decided to make Kyle the setter,” said Carver Weirick, a senior outside hitter and two-year co-captain of the Titan varsity. “He had mostly played libero in middle school, so I didn’t know how it was going to work out. But he has really grown into the position.
“Kai [Barra, a senior co-captain] and I talk about it all the time, how well he is doing for his age and how competitive he is. Kyle is very good at adjusting his game to what the hitters need, and that is a great skill. He is also very coachable.”
The Titans will get a good look at the 2020 version of Yu when San Marino opens the season on Thursday, Feb. 27, as Bishop Amat comes calling for a nonleague game. First serve is set for 3:30 p.m.
