Waubonsie Valley senior Sujhan Gopinath never knows where he’s going to play from one match to the next.
But he’s everywhere the Warriors need him to be.
“Through my years at Waubonsie, I’ve played every different position,” Gopinath said. “Freshman year, I played middle. Sophomore year, I played setter. Last year, I played right side. And this year, at the start of the season, I played outside — and now I’m playing right side and setter.”
Got all that? The position switches could be dizzying for a less versatile or mentally tough athlete, but the 6-foot-3 Gopinath has adjusted with aplomb.
“He’s a jack-of-all-trades,” Waubonsie Valley coach Noel Soto said. “We let him go all the way around. He can set, he can hit, he can play defense. Him and (junior outside) AJ Ruffin are good at everything.”
Gopinath displayed his versatility during the Warriors’ 25-10, 25-22 loss at Wheaton North on Wednesday. He toggled effortlessly between setter, right side and outside as the situation warranted, leading Waubonsie Valley with seven kills, six assists, three service points, two aces and a block.
“It’s really fun because I can be put out there where I’m needed,” Gopinath said. “With a lot of guys being out sick or going on college visits, I’m really useful to be able to play anywhere coach Soto needs me to be.
“It feels good to be a good asset to the team.”
Waubonsie Valley’s Sujhan Gopinath sets the ball during a match against Wheaton North in Wheaton on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Jon Langham / Naperville Sun)
For all of his physical talents, Gopinath’s greatest attribute is probably his leadership skills. The Warriors (1-8), whose roster includes four sophomores and three juniors, have yet to start the same lineup twice due to illnesses and other excused absences.
On Wednesday, Waubonsie Valley didn’t have senior middle Amr Alomari, who was on a college visit. That was a big problem against the taller and more experienced Falcons (13-3), who feasted at the net.
But the Warriors twice staged impressive rallies in the second set.
“(Gopinath) does a great job of settling us down and talking to the younger players, getting them in position and letting them know what’s coming,” Soto said. “He takes control of that court really well. He’s always got that ‘next ball’ mentality.”
What did Gopinath say to his teammates after the first set?
“I didn’t really tell them anything,” he said. “I just asked them if they really wanted it, and it seemed like we did.”
Indeed, the Warriors used an 8-3 run to pull into a 14-14 tie. Gopinath had three kills and an ace during the run, and senior libero Camron Kwilosz and junior defensive specialist Petar Ivanov also had aces.
The Falcons surged ahead again to go up 24-16. The Warriors then saved six consecutive match points.
“Even though it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, I feel like we definitely had growth in the second set,” Gopinath said. “And that’s what really mattered, how much we grow each game.”
One of the young players who is showing growth is 6-2 sophomore right side Michael Johnson, who started for the freshman team last year. He had two kills Wednesday and is soaking up knowledge from Gopinath.
“Suj has always been there for us,” Johnson said. “Whenever we’re down, he’s always there to give us advice.
“A couple plays we could have got if I hadn’t messed up. He kept telling me to do this and do that, and once I apply it to the game, we get the point. So he’s really there looking out for us.”
That has been Gopinath’s mentality on and off the court. He intends to continue doing it throughout his life. He said he’s leaning toward attending Ohio State and becoming a doctor.
“I just love helping people and being there for people,” Gopinath said. “In my friend group, I’m like the group therapist. Whenever someone needs help, I’m there. That goes for the team as well.”
The Warriors hope to be much improved by the end of the season, despite their youth and lack of size.
“At the start of the season, we weren’t clicking as a team,” Gopinath said. “But I feel that we’re slowly building chemistry and everyone is coming together as we’re solving the puzzle.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
