In the blink of an eye, senior Jad Ammar launches upward, arms reaching over the net and into the opponent’s space just as the opposing hitter prepares to spike. Sometimes the ball bounces off his hands, taking the force out of the hit and keeping it in play. Other times, his block forms a wall above the net, sending the ball straight back down onto the opponent’s floor. With precise timing and an explosive vertical, Ammar consistently rises to shut down opposing hitters.
Junior outside hitter Sam Andrade commented on Ammar’s athleticism: “People don’t realize it, but he is an impressive player to be able to play his position at his size. It’s honestly just insane. Super entertaining player. Everybody that comes to our games are like ‘wow Jad jumps so high.’”
Having never touched a volleyball before his freshman year at Poly, Ammar soon became a standout player on the Poly team and on the 18-1s team at Rockstar, a well-regarded, competitive volleyball club. He has had to overcome many challenges in his volleyball journey, from beginning at an older age to working with his height disadvantage, which helps him lead and inspire his Poly teammates.
When talking about Ammar’s leadership, sophomore outside hitter Reggie Kim noted, “Every once in a while, he’ll give me a little bit of advice. His main thing is staying calm throughout the game, and I think it definitely helped at the CIF game last year.” Through both direct advice and overall composure on the court, he unifies the team and has a much-appreciated presence by his teammates.
Ammar’s successful volleyball trajectory is one produced by the love of the sport. Even as he was navigating a new sport, he found a way to keep his mindset positive and productive. Ammar said, “If I was working out, it was fun because I knew I would be playing more volleyball and getting better at it. It was just fun playing volleyball.” His ability to make mentally and physically demanding tasks enjoyable, because he recognizes their value in volleyball, reflects his willingness to do whatever it takes for the sport he loves.
Ammar expresses gratitude for the financial means that have allowed him to play beyond high school and even with the Lebanese national team. Volleyball at the club level requires tuition, funds for travel tournaments and private instructors, which together can amount to over $20,000 a season. In recognizing this inequality, Ammar created his own community engagement club, SPIKE, to challenge the sport’s exclusivity. Through this initiative, he brings Poly students to teach volleyball to young children at the Pasadena Boys and Girls Club, providing free sessions that develop volleyball interest and skill. Whether he’s dominating his opponents or spreading his love for the game with youth, Jad’s passion and skill are beyond impressive, and we are excited to see what he can do in his final season for the Panthers.
