10 questions with T.O.'s Chad Kingi

Chad Kingi Thousand Oaks High senior Chad Kingi does it all.

In March, Kingi was a member of the Lancer basketball squad that won a CIF-Southern Section Division I title, the first in program history.

These days, the 17-year-old setter is one of the top boys' volleyball players in the area and is averaging 30 assists per game.

On Monday, the Thousand Oaks Acorn caught up with Kingi for 10 questions. This is what he said:

Q) What was it like being on the first team at TOHS to win a CIF title in basketball?

A) Honestly, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. At the same time, the team wanted to go even further than we did after winning the CIF title, so when we lost the last game (at state) it was really tough. It was kind of like having tears of joy, I guess.

Q) T.O. has always been known as a basketball school, so what was the reaction like from your fellow students when you won the CIF title?

A) It was very thrilling, and they made me feel this great sense of accomplishment. When you realize you've done something at the school nobody has ever done before, it really hits you.

Q) Was it tough to switch gears and start playing volleyball when the basketball season ended?

A) Not really, because I'm used to the transition. I just had to get my conditioning correct.

In volleyball, you use different muscles than you do in basketball. I deal a lot with working on defense and working in a crouch in basketball. Volleyball deals more with jumping and using your explosiveness.

Q) Back in March, your volleyball head coach, Andrew Vazquez, referred to you not only as the most underrated player in the Marmonte League but as "one of the five best setters in the country." How did that make you feel?

A) It felt great. Coach Vazquez has a lot of confidence in me. There are a lot of good setters out there, but I feel I'm one of the better ones. I'd like to think, however, that I'm not just a pure setter. I think I play every asset of the game well.

Q) What's been your biggest area of improvement in volleyball from last season?

A) I think it's just experience. I know I'm a good setter now, so the biggest difference is I'm more confident.

Q) At 6-foot-5, you're pretty tall. When someone asks you on the street if you play basketball or volleyball, what do you tell them?

A) Well, you know, I'm also a pretty good ping-pong player. (laughs). I tell them I play basketball, but volleyball is my true love.

Q) So you prefer volleyball over basketball?

A) Yes. I love volleyball more because I grew up with it, and I believe I'm a better player in the sport. In basketball I think I'm okay, but more of a smart player.

Q) What does the volleyball team need to do to win CIF?

A) We need to listen to our coach more. I think we can make a serious run at it, but we'll need better play and leadership from me, Michael Taxter and Sean Foley. The youngsters on the team also need to step up.

Q) Vasquez told me two months ago that you can basically hold your own with any beach volleyball player. How often do you still play beach volleyball, and what's the difference between that and playing for the Lancers?

A) I play beach volleyball just about every day in the summer. It's different than playing for Thousand Oaks because it requires even more stamina.

Whoever wins a game of beach volleyball won't necessarily have more power, but they'll control the ball more and have better awareness of the court.

Q) Last but not least, which NBA player would make an excellent volleyball player?

A) Dwight Howard. He's just a beast. With him being 6foot11, he would be an absolute force with his big shoulders. Plus, he can touch a 12foot-rim, so I'm pretty sure he'd be pretty good at the net. — Thomas Gase