I'm sitting here, tired and with a slight headache, but the weekend was worth it.
We drove up to Saskatoon on Friday and back Sunday evening, getting home around 9:30 p.m., I found myself completely drained.
But, it's volleyball, and that makes it all worth it.
The Saskatchewan Volleyball Association provincial tournament was held this weekend. Twenty-two teams of 17 and under girls were pooled and faced off in round robins, cross over matches, and finals.
Additionally the soccer centre was also hosting 18 and under girls volleyball as well as both 18 and 17 and under boys volleyball provincials making it an extremely busy place.
We went into it with high hopes for our girls, the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Vipers. They've had some struggles this season, but they've had huge successes, they're still learning and growing, so I was excited to see what they had in store for us, the coaches, this past weekend.
I'm not sure if they really realized how good they were. We ended up placing 16th, but in my opinion could have easily taken 9th or 10th. We just weren't on. The pressures of playing at provincials or so many people watching, I'm not entirely sure what it was but the girls couldn't perform in the way we knew they could have. Which, at least there's always next year as these girls, and maybe we'll get some surprises at tryouts in December, will be moving into the 18 and under category.
I know it can be extremely disappointing when things don't click. Locked away, these girls have greatness in them, so hopefully next year they can find it in themselves because I've seen it.
The season, however, held so much more for the girls than a couple wins and a few losses. Everyone likes to win I think, it's better than losing no matter what anyone says; but, these girls did fight and even if they're disappointed, they can be proud of how they did.
This is what was most important though, they can be proud of how they played. One girl, who had started throughout the year, found herself struggling to make a pass or a serve. Shuffling players around we got her a breather, sometimes you just need a breather and the coaches can give you that.
I remember asking for one back when I was in grade 12. Everything seemed to be going wrong and I just needed a moment to collect myself. I was, mostly, a team player, but for some reason this day was different and I couldn't get over myself. I was mad at myself and when I came off I clapped at points but didn't really cheer or talk from the sidelines.
It only happened once that I couldn't cheer for my team, but this girl, however, who had been struggling a bit the first day stood on the sidelines and cheered. She called the ball in, out, how many blockers there were, etc Throughout the season she had started. She had a starting position and was now sitting! But she wasn't sulking like some do, she was standing there on the sidelines still fully invested in the team. She wasn't mad to be on the bench, she wanted the team to win. A true team player if I had ever seen one.
Most people going from starting all season, to sitting a full game would be livid; but, this one simply continued to be 100 percent involved in the game, encouraging, and positive even though this was one of the first times she was ever off the court all season.
It's this that really makes me like coaching. I love the sport, but to be able to see what being humble and a team player is, to watch the players surprise themselves and surprise you, to see them grow over the season and learn new skills. It comes down to the hours I give up of free time to simply being fun.
The season is over now and I have no idea what I will do to fill the time, nothing around here is quite as much fun as coaching is.
