Student-athletes experience international culture, visit sites

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WINDOW ROCK – It didn’t take long for America’s Team to get acclimated to the tough competition during its 10-day tour in Italy.

The volleyball team, which comprised of Diné players Kaydence Tsinigine and Shylene Ashihi, won all but one of its matches. The two girls took part in the American Council for International Studies Educational Tour in mid-July traveling with 20-plus student-athletes.

“The experience was really fun,” said Tsinigine, who graduated from Page High School this past spring. “It was so cool going over there playing against some of the Italian teams out there. I enjoyed bonding with my new teammates who played in different parts of the U.S.”

“It was really fun, and it was cool that Kaydence went on the same trip,” Ashihi said. “I felt more comfortable with another Native kid being there because last year I went to the Dominican Republic, and I was the only Native American.

“I got really lonely and so I’m really thankful that Kaydence came because I just really connected with her,” the Window Rock High senior added.

Over the 10 days, the ACIS had two separate squads with the two Navajo girls playing on the same team. With eight members on its squad they saw plenty of playing time.

Tsingine, who signed to play collegiate volleyball for Ottawa University this fall, was surprised with how her team was able to build up some much-needed chemistry in a short time span.

“I think that was big because we really didn’t know how we were going to connect,” Tsinigine said. “But once we played our first game we figured out how to play with one another and when we won we were like, ‘Damn, we’re actually pretty good.’”

Ashihi credited head volleyball coach Heather Collins for inspiring them. Despite the limited time they had, Ashihi believes she learned a lot from her coach.

“She was really involved with us, and she had this enthusiasm about her that got us going,” Ashihi said. “She wanted us to have fun but be competitive at the same time. I really appreciate the things she taught me as far as being a middle back row player.

“I really didn’t play that position in high school, so it was a new experience for me,” she added. “The coaches were telling me what to do and what to look at as far as (the hitter’s) stance.”

Both players agreed that pace of the game was a tad faster against some of the more experienced volleyball players from Italy.

“We were really nervous when we played those older girls,” Tsinigine said. “But my whole team gave it our all. The more we got to know each other, the more we connected.”

“We played some high quality players from Italy,” Ashihi said. “We got to feel what it’s like to compete against girls with higher skill levels.”

In addition to playing volleyball, the pair also experienced life in Italy. They went sightseeing, they learned about the local customs and cultures. They also enjoyed some of Italy’s best cuisine.

“I ate some pasta, and it was served with some crab,” Ashihi said. “It was so good.”

“You could tell a difference between with what we eat in America and what they eat in Italy,” Tsinigine said. “I mean, their food was a lot fresher and healthier. They also believe in having a three-course meal.”

As for the scenic sites, Tsinigine enjoyed the Duomo di Milano Cathedral in Milan while Ashihi appreciated the Isola Bella Lago Maggiore, an island in Northern Italy.

“There’s a lot of paintings in that mansion,” Ashihi said. “There is a love story behind that, you know, with a man building this mansion for his women. It was done out of love. I was just so amazed with how powerful love can be.”

And although very few Natives get to play internationally, Ashihi is encouraging others to do so.

“I would really recommend this to other Native women into joining their program,” Ashihi said. “I know they’re asking for more to join because last year we had six teams that played in the Dominican Republic. This year we only had two.”

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