WHILE most PinOz boys his age are into hoops and dribbles, Mark Raznelle Diwas Torzar is into spikes and tosses. The 19-year old graduate of Rooty Hill High School is a proud, full-fledged blue boy – a member of the NSW Under-19s men’s volleyball team, the only Filipino who has reached such heights in the game at state level.
By TITUS FILIO
Ang Kalatas
________________________
He wears jersey No 5 in the NSW State team. It’s easy to spot him anyway; the high-jumper is the shortest in the crew.
“I used to play basketball a lot until I actually fell in love with volleyball; yes, I’m in love with this game,” Mark tells AK during a recent interview post-game at the Penrith Sports Stadium in Cambridge Park.
He admits he’s actually a late-starter in volleyball and he didn’t really learn the game until he was 14.
He didn’t realise he had a talent – and real power – to smash the ball across the net.
“Our high school coach invited us once to try out for volleyball. I went with my friends but it was just for fun, in fact we mocking around during the game,” Mark relates.
The game naturally blended with his style; his high jumping skills and 5’9’ agile frame turned out to be a perfect match for a great volleyball player.
“I was surprised that by late afternoon they contacted my parents and informed me that I would be placed in a training pool.”
Within a year, he played in the NSW Under 15, and soon Mark started receiving a string of awards including being awarded the Sydney West Blues two years ago and late last year granted the NSW Blues Award.
Mark plays in the team as an outside hitter, a spiker. His skill as a player is already being recognised but he admits he still feels some handicap.
“It’s my height, I’m the shortest in the team, often I go against very tall players, six-footers.”
He dreams of playing in leagues back home in the Philippines where volleyball has started to gain popularity.
“I hope I can play in the Philippines someday. I once watched a UAAP volleyball game on TV and it was so exciting, the intensity was there,” says Mark.
Apart from playing, Mark has also started doing coaching routines. He teaches volleyball to kids weekly at the Olympic Park and coaches at the Thomas Hassall Anglican College.
His eyes are now set on the bigger stage, that is to make it to the national level, the Australian volleyball league.
He has also been encouraging his male friends to try their hand in volleyball.
“Most of my friends they love playing basketball,” he said. “But I always encourage them to play volleyball. I tell them that this is a very exciting game.”
______________________
PICTURE:
Mark Raznelle Diwas Torzar at play.
