OPINION

Couple the ongoing in�lux from Mexico with the arrival of evacuees from Afghanistan and forget the false claims of vetting those “newcomers” or checking them for COVID-19.

Joe Biden has a nation that he must “internationalize…” and thereby neutralize… on the world stage.

Fresh from the debacle of abandoning Americans in Afghanistan, and trusting the Taliban to insure their safety, Ol’ Joe was making his maiden speech at the United Nations while his DHS Secretary was testifying on Capitol Hill.

To the UN General Assembly, Biden proposed even more ways for America to waste more of your money. “Build Back Better World,” he called it; “Ending America As We Know It” is more accurate.

And though his gait and his memory have slowed, Joe wants this done quickly. “We cannot afford to waste any more time,” he said in closing.

Paul Greenberg closed out his columnwriting career in September 2018 he passed away in April.

A wise newcomer to composing columns will not emulate Greenberg’s example of nicknaming the politically notorious.

Besides, the most accurate nickname for Joe Biden would be unprintable. ■

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Mesa volleyball in new era under Vee Hiapo

BY JAKE HEDEBY Tribune Staff Writer

It’s not too often in high school sports that one team loses their coach and immediately replaces them with someone held in similar high regard. But the Mesa girls’ volleyball team did just that this season.

Vee Hiapo will took over both the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams at Mesa High School this offseason, stepping in for longtime head coach, Amy Strawn. In her �irst year, Hiapo recognizes the history of this program and what she is stepping into.

“This is the 50-year celebration of Mesa high girls’ volleyball,” Hiapo said. “They’ve come really close but trying to teach them to win the ultimate one [a state championship] is a combination of all the coaches and all the players and what they have done already. It’s my privilege to come now, unify the years Mesa volleyball coach Vee Hiapo, in her fi rst season, recognizes the tradition behind the program and only aims to further advance it while setting her own standards and culture. (Pablo

Robles/Tribune Sta ) together and make it happen.”

This is not the beginning of Hiapo’s legacy when it comes to Arizona volleyball.

A long history of impactful coaching follows the new Jackrabbit coach. Whether it be helping out the prestigious Molten Volleyball Club that her family owns or running the volleyball program at Skyline High School the last several seasons.

“I was headed to another school to only coach boys when Mesa called me to interview because coach Strawn retired,” Hiapo said. Hesitant at �irst, Hiapo was not sure if taking responsibility for the boys’ and girls’ team was in her best interest, but now she is ecstatic that she did.

“It felt good like I was back in Hawaii. So, the family atmosphere and what they were all about was very intriguing,” Hiapo said.

With her knowledge of coach Strawn, she had con�idence when the opportunity arose, adding, “I did not plan on coming to Mesa or coaching girls, but I am so glad I did, it’s a wonderful program.”

Hiapo’s history with Amy Strawn goes

���MESA ���� 27

NFL rising star inspires Desert Ridge football

BY LUCAS GORDON

Tribune Contributing Writer

Desert Ridge football players are on the receiving end of some inspiration that most teams don’t get.

First-year head coach Roy Lopez knows what it takes to make it to the NFL and spreads that knowledge to his players. Lopez’s son, Roy Lopez Jr., was selected in last year’s draft in the sixth round to the Houston Texans. In Week 1, Roy Jr. made his debut with the team in their win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The former University of Arizona defensive tackle serves as a role model for all the students on the Desert Ridge team. His relationship with the players is described as a big brother.

“He always comes out a lot to tell us what he did to get to the next level and what we have to do,” quarterback and free safety Hunter Maxwell said. “He always supports us every day and talks to us a lot.” Roy Lopez Jr., who graduated from Mesquite and was drafted by the Houston Texans last year in the sixth round, has made an impact on the players at Desert Ridge, where his father Roy Sr.

is in his fi rst year as coach. (Courtesy Roy Lopez Jr. Twitter)

Players are comfortable talking to Roy Jr. about anything, from football to music in age. He can communicate with the players with typical slang that is used in high school.

Roy Jr. consistently showed up to practices when he wasn’t with the Texans and took the time to show the high schoolers some tips and tricks to make them better. The defensive line bene�its the most from his knowledge as they all play the same position.

Senior defensive end Brayden Kobylinski explained what adjustments he’s made thanks to Roy Jr’s coaching.

“He taught me how to use my hands the right way,” Kobylinski said. “I used to go under the linemen’s arms, but he showed me that you have to go over and sweep them away.”

Roy Jr. exhibits all the characteristics of a leader around the Desert Ridge football team.

While he may joke around and be