Caledon Citizen’s Student Athlete of the Week: Junior Girls’ setter Nguyen leads Wolfpack to Gold with MVP performance at volleyball tourney

March 6, 2025 · 0 Comments

By Jim Stewart

It’s not often that Junior Girls volleyball players are equated to Michael Jordan, but the Hall Wolfpack Coaching Staff made such an assertion to describe their star setter’s efforts at a recent tournament at Humberview.

Coaches Michael Sengbush and Victoria Galati offered an animated and astute allusion to His Airness which amplified Valerie Nguyen’s MVP performance.

“Have you ever heard of the Michael Jordan flu game? Well, this season we witnessed the Valerie Nguyen flu game. At a tournament at Humberview Secondary School, she refused to get off the court, even when sick and coughing. Our team and coaches supported her by giving her water and feeding her cough drops between points. Valerie helped lead us to a gold medal that day, and was the team MVP for the tournament!”

The Grade 10 Honor Roll student-athlete was described by her Wolfpack coaches as an indispensable player.

“Valerie was the ONLY setter on the team. She never got off the court. She played every set of every game. Even when she was really sick, she refused to get off the court in order to help the team win. She is also a natural leader and was one of the team’s rotating captains this year. Her work ethic truly sets her apart; she practices like it’s game point and everything is on the line.”

Coaches Sengbush and Galati highlighted Nguyen’s qualities as a student at Robert F Hall CSS: “Valerie is a kind, supportive, and motivated student. The same work ethic she displayed on the court, she channels in her education. She is a true role model in her interactions with peers and academic endeavors. She also donates her time by volunteering to scorekeep senior volleyball games, as well as training scorekeepers.”

What impresses the Wolfpack coaching staff the most about Nguyen is “her dedication, passion, and growth as an athlete.”

“In the span of one year, she went from a developmental player who did not see the court a lot to a starting setter who played every moment. She worked hard every practice and took on a mentorship role with new junior players. All her success as a student and an athlete was truly earned.”

Valerie Nguyen took time from her second semester studies and her obligations with the Lakeside Volleyball club in Burlington to respond to our interview questions:

Caledon Citizen: What qualities did you demonstrate in your sports season to earn Student-Athlete of the Week honors?

Valerie Nguyen: “This year I had the privilege of being a part of Robert F Hall’s Junior Girls Volleyball team. After a less-than-ideal performance during my Grade 9 season, I made it my goal to contribute as much as I could, both on and off the court. As the team’s only setter, I know the responsibility was important, but I was more than happy to make that commitment.”

Caledon Citizen: What were your key statistics and performance moments from the 2024-25 season that you are most proud of?

Valerie Nguyen: “I feel as though the 2024-25 season taught me a lot, and allowed me the chance to grow as a player and a teammate. A performance highlight this season was becoming a unit with the girls and learning how to thrive as a team. My teammates this year were incredible, watching us grow as a team and learning how to work as a unit to achieve our goals is what made this season so meaningful. Although we did not go as far in playoffs as we hoped, I wanted to say how proud I am of this amazing group of girls.”

Caledon Citizen: In addition to your high school sports teams, what other community teams do you play for and at what level?

Valerie Nguyen: “I also play rep volleyball at Lakeside Volleyball club in Burlington.”

Caledon Citizen: How would you describe yourself as a student at Robert F. Hall? To which sports teams and clubs do you belong? Honor Roll?

Valerie Nguyen: “I would describe myself as a balanced student. Besides the Junior Volleyball team, I am also a part of Robert F. Hall’s Girls Empowerment Movement, and I did get Honor Roll this past school year.”

Caledon Citizen: What are your post-secondary plans regarding prospective academic/athletic destinations?

Valerie Nguyen: “Post-secondary, my plan is to study psychology, ideally at UBC.”

Caledon Citizen: Who is your role model in terms of the person you admire the most?

Valerie Nguyen: “This season, my biggest role models have been all my coaches this year Mr. Sengbush, Ms. Galati, and Vic. I have never felt more appreciated as a player, and I’ve never been more inspired to push myself to improve. They believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Their support and guidance have made all the difference in my growth as a player and a person. I am forever grateful to be coached by them.”

Caledon Citizen: How do you feel about being nominated as The Caledon Citizen’s Student-Athlete of the Week?

Valerie Nguyen: “Going into this season, I would have never thought that it would have as much of an impact on me as it did. I am honoured to be considered to be Student-Athlete of the Week among other incredible athletes in Caledon.”

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