Ex-Buffanblu volleyball standout making his mark at D-III Vassar

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

In his senior year of high school, we called him "Mr. Destiny" because he had a major role in scoring the winning points in the 1998-99 state boys' volleyball, basketball and track and field championships — as Punahou won all three titles in dramatic comebacks.

Punahou graduate Jesse Lam is a "spectacular natural athlete, overloaded with ability, and a phenomenal work ethic," says Vassar coach Jonathan Penn. Photo by Carlisle Stockton • Vassar College

"He's a spectacular natural athlete, overloaded with ability, and a phenomenal work ethic," Vassar coach Jonathan Penn said.

"One of his most valuable assets is that he genuinely enjoys playing the game. He lights the place up. We call him 'Joy Boy,' " Penn said.

"I'm definitely enjoying myself," acknowledges Lam, who chose Division III Vassar for its academics, not for volleyball.

Lam will graduate May with a degree in biochemistry and head for medical school (UH is his first choice).

But he has found time amid Vassar's vaunted academic load to be one of the best small-college volleyball players in the nation and one of the best in Vassar history.

Lam, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association/Sports Imports Division III Men's National Player of the Week on Jan. 27, after he led Vassar to a 4-0 record and the title of its own tournament.

He will conclude his career in April ranked in Vassar's top four in career kills and aces and in the top six in career solo blocks.

This season, "He's more explosive than I've ever seen him, and that's saying a lot," coach Penn said.

In 35 games this season, Lam has averaged 4.34 kills and hit .383. He got 28 kills on Wednesday as Vassar improved to 8-1 with a five-game victory over Division I Sacred Heart in Connecticut.

"There aren't many Division I volleyball programs in the East," Lam said, "so Division III is very competitive."

Volleyball hasn't come without its price for Lam. He tore his right anterior cruciate ligament the day before practice started his sophomore season but returned in time for the national tournament.

Currently he is playing with a sprained right ankle, pulled patella tendon in his left toe ("it's like turf toe," he said), and a sprained left finger.

The pain will all go away if Vassar makes it into the Molten Division III national championships in April.

Vassar has a second starter from Hawai'i: freshman outside hitter Matt Bninski (Hawai'i Baptist '02 from 'Aiea).