Being on “the bench” is an important part of the game and something every player should embrace.

“When I see people on the bench cheering on their teammates it’s truly a beautiful sight to watch,” volleyball player Maya Kawano said.

Supporting your teammates off the court allows you to share in their success. Being on a team means you’re a part of a very close and tight family and you are there for each other no matter what.

“Being on the bench allows me to see the game from a different perspective and I am able to see my teammates prosper,” point guard Ryan Higashionna said.

There are more players on a team than the “starting players” so there are always teammates on the sidelines cheering and supporting. A player on the bench is a role player; they are participating in their own way and can affect how a game goes based on their cheering, intensity, and energy. A player on the bench is just as important as any player on the court, field, or track.

“Last year, I never saw much playing time, but as a teammate, I was always there for my teammates and enjoyed watching them play the game and it allowed me to learn from them,” Logan Matsuoka said.