Vollmen is a steadying influence on the floor for the Bulldogs

By Shaun Scott • January 3, 2018 2:39 pm
Shaun Scott/staff photo Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore guard Jaden Vollmen, who graduated from Puyallup High School in 2016, is one of the leaders of a squad that has compiled an overall record of 9-3 thus far during the 2017-18 season.
Shaun Scott/staff photo Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore guard Jaden Vollmen, who graduated from Puyallup High School in 2016, is one of the leaders of a squad that has compiled an overall record of 9-3 thus far during the 2017-18 season.

Bellevue Bulldogs sophomore basketball player Jaden Vollmen is the epitome of an even-keeled individual.

While a multitude of collegiate athletes typically have an intense persona, Vollmen exudes a steadiness and calmness on the hardwood for the Bulldogs basketball team. Vollmen, who is in his second season with the Bulldogs, is the undisputed leader of his team.

“He is a pretty laid back guy in general. He looks like a California surfer. He will probably come in here (from the parking lot) in flip flops and shorts even though it’s 40 degrees outside. That is just how he is,” Bulldogs’ head coach Donald Brady said about an hour before practice kicked off on Dec. 5. “He is very calm and very cool. His emotions don’t get too high or too low, which is something I really like but he can get fired up when the time is right. I think his ability to stay level helps the rest of our team out. It is not very common at this level to have guys like that on a team. It is nice to have our leader be pretty level-headed.”

Vollmen, who has led the Bulldogs to an early season 9-3 overall record, hopes his squad can win the Northwest Athletic Conference Championship this March.

“The end goal is to win it all,” Vollmen said. “That is basically our focus and we’re going to keep working hard toward that goal. We really just want to keep winning. We got a good group of guys out here. It is fun to compete with all of them, work hard and have a good time.”

Brady said Vollmen’s ability to get to the basket with his wide assortment of moves drives a lot of the Bulldogs offense.

“We base a lot of stuff we do on his first step and his ability to just go and create,” Brady said.

Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask Vollmen a few questions about his life away from the basketball court.

Bellevue Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?

Jaden Vollmen: I like “Toy Story.” I always grew up watching it as a kid. I have went as Buzz Lightyear for Halloween for the past five years straight.

BR: What is your favorite restaurant in Bellevue?

JV: I just like going to Panda Express.

BR: What is your dream vacation spot?

JV: I love Hawaii. My family goes there a lot. It is my favorite spot in the world.

BR: How many text messages do you send per day?

JV: I send maybe 50 to 60 per day.

BR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your iPod right now?

JV: I love Hawaiian music.

BR: What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

JV: I saw “Daddy’s Home 2.”