He is the 6’4 volleyball player who loves extra spinach in his Sub; the player who is fascinated by cars and martial arts; the guy who always fights to achieve victory; and the guy who initially was not a fan of volleyball.

In his second year playing for the El Camino men’s volleyball team, Brandon Hiehle, 21, has helped his team start a great season with his determination and constant contribution of kills.

“He’s grown up in the last two and a half years,” men’s volleyball coach Richard Blount said. “He’s a battler. He’s a competitor. He’s tough.”

It was several of Hiehle’s old high school friends who suggested him to tryout for the team.

“When I was in the ninth grade I wasn’t exactly like the best,” Hiehle said. “We had a couple of kids transferring from different schools that played over me”

Hiehle was overshadowed numerous times by players he admits were better than him, however, it did not discourage him to stop playing.

“I would see the kind of work they would put in to be where they were at,” Hiehle said. “And since I wanted to be better than them I had to put in this (more) amount of work.”

Another challenge Hiehle encountered was the hard reality that College was not a walk in the park, and during his first year at EC, he failed his courses and was not eligible to play.

“I really wanted to play because I love playing,” Hiehle said. “But it hurt me more knowing that I failed myself and that I didn’t do what needed to be done in order to play.”

Hiehle’s love for the sport and his determination to redeem himself helped him to gain a spot in the team and is now even catching scouts’ attention.

“Playing for ElCo is one thing. Its fun,” Hiehle said. “I get to go to school, I get to learn, I get to get my AA degree, transfer to schools, and while at the same time get to play for this school. Playing for this team is tight.”

In every game Hiehle makes himself present when the team needs him the most.

“He is still the same guy that I first met,” teammate and friend, Roy Powell said. “But I now know how much heart and passion he has for the sport which makes playing with him that much more enjoyable.”

Hiehle is undeclared in his major, but he hopes to transfer out to a Division 1 school, and also hopes to one day play for the U.S. Olympic beach team.

“I see Brandon doing a lot of great things in life,” Powell said. “I know he will make it far in this sport, whether its on the beach or on the court, he will go far.”