Volleyball: Aicinena provides positive message at Clinic

Don't tell Steve Aicinena - UTPB's volleyball coach and athletic director - that something can't be done.

He doesn't want to hear it and more than likely, he'll prove to you that it can.

That was the message that he provided the participants Friday at the Basin's Best Volleyball Clinic at Odessa High.

"It's not about us as coaches," Aicinena said. "It's about the athletes and the program. We are doing this because we love our sport."

That Aicinena was in his element as a teacher quickly was evident as he hit each point of his presentation and provided examples to back up each item.

He talked about accepting limitations in both the athletes and himself as a coach and working through those obstacles to get the best out of every situation.

The Lady Falcons' head coach posed several questions to the crowd, looking not for answers but for the coaches to look inside themselves for the answers.

OHS coach Linda McMillian was one of those that found herself quickly identifying with one of the points Aicinena was making.

"Earlier in the day I was talking about how it would have been nicer to have more coaches here at the clinic," she said. "I mean, we're trying to provide something so coaches don't have to drive too far to get great information from very good coaches.

"But listening to Coach Aicinena, you sit back and understand that instead of worrying about who isn't here, the focus needs to be on the ones that did make the trip and are here taking advantage of what we are doing."

That's exactly the message Aicinena was selling on this night, several times reiterating that everyone, athletes and coaches, "are just one play from humility."

For as much as Aicinena feels he is preparing his teams for competition, he understands that he also is helping pave the road of life for them.

"A college volleyball career lasts this long, if you are lucky," he said, holding up four fingers. "It's our job to motivate the players and challenge them to get better every day.

"You have to have a positive outlook. It doesn't matter what you don't have, because complaining about it isn't going to change a thing. Take what you have and do your best."