聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 It was an amazing season of school volleyball, yes I'm in need of writing once again about my favourite sport, although in my defence it takes up a lot of my time whether I'm playing or coaching. When people ask me what I've been up to I usually just reply, 鈥淥h, work and volleyball.鈥� So bear with me for another volleyball column.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year was my fourth coaching in Arcola 鈥� I had one with the junior boys and three now coaching the junior girls 鈥� and I like to think I've grown and become better at it, I firmly believe that you can always learn something new, so I'm always going to strive to become better.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Anyway, I feel as though this has been my most successful year as a coach yet and it's because of the fantastic players I had this year. Although I put a fair amount of work into planning, organizing the year and growing players in a tactful way, it's only if the players buy into what I'm doing.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 I think this year they did and they grew a lot over the season. It was fantastic watching them make huge strides and become more confident in themselves.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 I remember taking them down to their first game against Oxbow I was warming up with one of the grade eight girls as I had an odd number on the team so stepped in. We had a tough time rallying, but by the later part of the season we had a tournament and I was rallying with the same girl, we were able to keep it going for numerous rounds. I think she would have been my most improved player of the season.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 However, they all made strides and became better players throughout the season.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 One team we struggled with throughout the season was Oxbow and as we met them at home and away games and tournaments they would edge us out every time. A couple of weeks ago this changed and my girls dug deep beating them in two sets, it was a huge accomplishment because they were just out of reach until that game, it was fantastic.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 They peaked at the right time in the season, it was very exciting.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Then last week we ended up in Midale at a junior girls' playoffs. The girls stepped it up again and it was literally the best I had seem them play all year. They held nothing back and fought hard out there making it to the final.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 They had a tough three-set battle against Midale in the semi-final, but were able to come out with the win. It was an amazing game, the girls were doing things right and I couldn't have been more proud.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The final was against Weyburn Junior High. They were a very solid team, but the girls fought hard and although we weren't able to win, I might have needed to do more mental training with them because I think they may have been nervous, after all I was nervous watching. I held my breath for the majority of the Midale and Weyburn games.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 But the scores were close in both games. I couldn't believe the strides they made over the year. They improved immensely and I'm thankful for all of the compliments I received throughout the year about how the girls interact on the court with themselves as well. They were encouraging towards each other and cheered loudly when on the court or on the bench, they embraced what it is to be a team and they were a pleasure to coach.
