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volleyball

Orlando Return

Monday 04 March 2024

The girls spent the weekend in Orlando at the — guess! You’ll never guess — Sunshine Qualifier volleyball tournament, and K was sending me pictures the whole time, but I neglected to post them here.

“This might be the last time you’re here,” L told K when K was talking about all the food options there, “so enjoy it!”

Last time K is there? Well, I am taking her to Nationals in Orlando in June, but what about next year?

Truth be told, this might very well be the last club season for us. If L doesn’t get a volleyball-based scholarship, there will be very little motivation to spend the time and money next year. Does this mean she’s giving up on her dream? Not really—academic scholarships have always been more likely (the girl is ranked 11 in a class of 400+ students) and she’s never experienced anything other than success in school. I think her lowest grade of high school is a 94 or 95.

The Girl

Saturday 10 February 2024

First Tournament Back

Saturday 03 February 2024

The Girl played in her first tournament since her stomach issues today. Her team went 3-0, not dropping a single set.

And our Girl was on the court again, doing what she loves again.

It was good to see.

Returning Slowly

Sunday 21 January 2024

Things are returning to normal. The Girl's GI issues seem to be slowly diminishing, and the Boy seems in better spirits.

Babcia is, as always, Babcia: always (almost) happy and smiling (until she gets to talking about Polish politics -- don't get her talking about politics).

After a good breakfast, L and I headed to Rock Hill for the second day of the weekend's tournament. The Girl helped out with warmups and was the biggest cheerleader on the bench.

Their team made it to the final in the gold bracket -- meaning in essence, the final for the whole tournament for their age bracket -- and it was against another team from the same volleyball club. Since it, too, has a strong religious foundation (like last year's team, but this club seems to be less interested in meddling in the private lives of the coaches like last year's team, which fired the Girl's team's coaches -- in the middle of the season -- because they were living together out of wedlock -- the shame!), the two teams circled up and prayed before the game.

This team has beaten the Girl's team badly once this year, but they were confident. Still, they're kind of a family, I think: instead of simply giving each other low fives under the net, they popped onto the same side as our girls and there were hugs all around.

Our girls jumped out to an early lead in the first set and won it 25-21. The second set was a different story. They trailed by two for most of the set, but suddenly, it was 13-17. Then 13-18. And then 13-19. In the end, the lost 16-25.

The third and deciding set (which is only to 15) they were neck and neck until it was 8-8. Then three quick mistakes and they were down 8-11. Then 8-12. I was pretty sure it was over, the they rallied and evened the score at 13. They were up 14-13 when one of the other team's hitters blasted a shot that was initially called out. Our girls celebrated; the parents were screaming. And then the call was reversed: there had been a touch on the block. 14-14. And how did it end? The girls rallied again and won 16-14:

And afterward -- a group picture with both teams.

K, the Boy, and Babcia, meanwhile, were having a fine day as well.

After church, they went to a relatively new cafe: Old Europe Cafe. The consensus among the Polish community: a nice cafe with a real Krakow-cafe feel.

Afterward, a walk in our lovely Falls Park.

In the evening, the Boy and I played cars a while -- again. Just like old times.

Watching the Semis

Thursday 14 December 2023

Hits

Wednesday 25 October 2023

Some the the Girl's hits at a recent game -- never published it.

Playoffs, Game 2: The End of the Season

Monday 23 October 2023

The Girl's volleyball team played in the second round of the division playoffs tonight, facing River Bluff just as they had last year. Last year, the girls won in straight sets, but each set was by the closest margin.

This year, River Bluff jumped out to a 1-8 lead in the first set, and I was afraid it might be one of those nights. However, they fought back and eventually tied it at 13. That means they went on a 12-5 streak. And what did they do after that? They gave up 7 consecutive points, ending up at 13-20 in a heartbeat. This has been the story of this team this year: they pull back and tie a set or they roar ahead and dominate a set, only to give the points back. So they lost the first set 19-25.

The second set they jumped into the lead and held a two-point lead for a long time before River Bluff tied it up at 18. At one point, they were down again, 22-23, but they tied it on a big hit from L. They went on to with the second set 25-23, which is the same score they won their final set against River Bluff last year.

In the third set, it happened: they fell apart and could not pull themselves back together. It was 3-3, and suddenly that transformed into 4-10. Then it was 9-17. They just never managed to keep it together and ended up getting trounced 13-25.

I don't mind so much when the Girl's team loses when they just get out-played. I don't like to see them beat themselves so badly.

Down two sets to one, the girls had to pull it out in the fourth set to send it to a final fifth set. They were doing fine, trading point for point until it was 5-5. But just as happened in the third set, they began playing uncoordinated ball and soon it was 7-13: a 2-8 run. They fought back to make it 18-19, but then they gave back three more points to make it 18-22. In the end, they lost the fourth set 20-25, thus bring their 2023 season to a close.

And in the end, tears. Tears because it was the end of the season, and seven seniors will be leaving this year. Tears because it was the end of the season after a state championship that they were all convinced they could repeat. Tears because of the stress of a whole season and the release when it all comes to an end.

There is a sliver of a silver lining in all this: the Girl desperately needs a break for her ankle to heal some. At least now she'll get some rest before club season starts. But that's little consolation when you see your daughter in tears.

But we have a 3-0 sweep and a subsequent state championship from last year to keep in the bank...

Playoffs, Game 1

Wednesday 18 October 2023

The girls took Blythewood (I think -- I'd never heard of them) in straight sets tonight. Monday, we face River Bluff. We took them in straight sets last year, but we won each set by the barest margin, so we'll see how things go Monday.

Practice

Monday 16 October 2023

August 13, 2020

When the Girl decided she wanted to play volleyball, when she tried out for the team as a sixth grader and didn't make it, when she became really determined, she'd come ask me, "Padre" (She'd started calling me that by then) "can we go out to the front yard and practice volleyball?" I'd toss her balls, simulate spikes, help her practice running for balls -- all the basic skills someone of my eager volleyball means could help with given our lack of a net.

At some point, she asked me for the last time to go help her practice. I didn't realize it was the last time she would ask me, and to be honest, I don't know if I even agreed to it. She might have asked, and I might have made some kind of excuse. Or maybe we went and practiced one last time.

She hasn't asked me to do that in years now. She probably never will again. The last time, passed without knowing, fully past with complete knowledge.

So when the Boy asked if, instead of swimming tonight, we could practice basketball, I agreed. I didn't really want to: I wanted to get some serious exercise in the pool. But he's that age: how many more times will he ask? When will be the last time?

Volleyball

Thursday 12 October 2023

The Girl's team had their final game of the regular season this evening. They won 3 sets to 1.