By Cody Dowless
Tritons Call Staff
The University of Guam recently named Tatiana Afalava Sablan as the new head coach of theTriton’s Athletic program’s women’s volleyball team.
Sablan has high hopes for the team.
“I tasked myself with being responsible for how these athletes view their roles as ambassadors for young women, and as young adult student athletes with new found dreams and goals. Truly this program is the first of its kind, and aside from the inherent coaching responsibilities I feel a responsibility to empower these athletes with a strong sense of becoming role models on the court, in the classroom, and throughout the community,” Sablan said.
Sablan’s love of volleyball started with her family early on.
“My older sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins played volleyball. It was an interest I was born into,” Sablan said.
A self-proclaimed proud Samoan, Sablan was born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii, and has competed in a multitude of different countries around the world. Her travels for volleyball include Okinawa, Philippines, Cook Islands, Australia, the United States, Spain, China, Hong Kong, Wallis and Futuna.
In addition to her impressive resume of competition Sablan has over a decade of coaching experience under her belt.
“My coaching experience spans about 13 years and is very much geared towards development,” Sablan said.
Some previous coaching experiences for Sablan include youth coach at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, the junior varsity team head coach at McKinley High in Hawaii, and head coach at Guam’s Southern High School.
Sablan already has major plans for her time as coach at the University.
“My personal goal is to broaden this team’s outlook on volleyball, and for Triton Volleyball athletes to become a team of precision strategists each in their own field of expertise. The passer, setter, hitter, blocker, digger and server,” Sablan said.
In addition to serving as head coach Sablan will be working with the University’s Athletic Director Doug Palmer as well as the Guam Volleyball Federation to create a league for the team to compete in. She hopes for the Triton League to be up and running for the upcoming new year.
As for now, Sablan will be getting busy training with the new team. All players have been recently selected, and are as follows: Adriana Chang, Brittany Quinata, Colleen Quinata, Erin Duenas Jasmine Almoguera, Jestyne Sablan, Jovelle Alcantara, Kae’Ana Camacho, Kaitlin Blaz, Kristin Sapp, Ladera Linn, Lori Okada, Lowella DiRamos, Myah Quenga, Rea Dimag, Sia Duenas, Stephanie Agarpao, and Danielle Robles.