CoachTalk

Our season ended last night in the regional semi round. We end our season 14-11 and district runner up. None of that matters to me. The most important accomplishments this season will never be recognized by a number or hardware. I have witnessed a group of girls become one. They played for each other and cared for one another. They overcame obstacles and felt the joy of a big win. They were comfortable with each other and did not judge. I will miss my seniors. All of them have a unique story that made them special to the team. My setter, she came through in the end. Lost for a while, I was worried she would not find her way. But of all of my players, I am most proud of her. She overcame the bull crap and answered back with motivation to be what I knew she was all along, a leader. A girl with grits. It took her awhile to realize it but when she did, she wanted it. Without her stepping into the light, I don’t know if the team would have ever shined. I can’t wait to watch her play college ball if she gets the opportunity. My libero, she was cut her freshman year. She could have given up but she didn’t. And I’m glad she tried again. She held the team together and I don’t know who could ever fill her shoes. My 6-2middle learned how it feels to be that height this year. She proved her doubters wrong and turned some heads along the way. She brought personality to our team and fear into our opponents. She has so much more space to learn and grow and I’m excited about her future. My other middle never thought she would ever start. She came to us with little to no skill but came up big in the end to get us into the district final. I was unable to get close to her like my other seniors because I only had her for a year, but the one thing she had was the courage to keep at it. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I fell in love with this team. Not because of talent but because they learned. They learned that hard work gives you a chance, that nothing is set in stone, that there is always a bigger picture, and that no matter what, real teammates will have each others back. They trusted their coach and cared about what they did. I will miss this team. I love them all and hope my seniors are better prepared for the real world because of it.

The best part about sports is the post season.

Seeing all of your hard work come together in a defining moment,

that will live within you forever, be it good or bad.

As a coach I want my players to experience what it is like to work hard towards

a common goal, depending on one another, with no regrets and with their hearts in the right place.Win or lose, if they can do that, they will better people for it.

CURRENTLY 6-5

WE STARTED OFF WITH A GREAT WIN OVER OUR RIVAL AND THEN LOST 3 STRAIGHT TO TEAMS WE COULD HAVE DEFEATED.

IN THE SLUMP:

1. MY CAPTAIN WAS REMOVED FROM CAPTAIN DUTY FOR PLACING HERSELF ABOVE THE TEAM.

2. PLAYERS PLAYED BELOW THEIR LEVEL AND TURNED ON EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.

3.  WE STOPPED PLAYING DISCIPLINED

4. WE LET BALLS FALL BETWEEN US

5. WE GAVE MORE POINTS TO OPPONENTS THEN OPPONENTS EARNED

6.  WE GOT SICK OF VOLLEYBALL

AS OF THIS WEEKEND:

1.  WE GOT OUR SHIT TOGETHER

2. WE ARE TRUSTING EACH OTHER ON THE COURT.

3. WE WON THE BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP IN A TOURNAMENT IN WHICH WE DID NOT LOSE BY MORE THAN 5 POINTS (INCLUDING TO LAST YEARS STATE SEMIFINALIST IN 4A)

4. WE COMMUNICATE ON THE COURT

5. WE ARE GETTING BETTER AND HAVE WON 4 OF OUR LAST 6 GAMES

SECOND ROUND OF DISTRICTS STARTS TOMORROW.  BRING IT!

WE won our first game in marathon style.  In the 2 hour and 45 minute game we ousted our district rival in 5 sets.  The game had many ups and downs but with only 1 true starter returning this season, I had very little to complain about.

My pregame speech was simple.  “YOU ARE A BUNCH OF NOBODY’S!!! TONIGHT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO START CREATING AN IDENTITY. THERE IS NO HIDING. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL CREATE “US” TONIGHT. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AT LEAST A DECADE, SW VOLLEYBALL WAS NOT RANKED IN THE TOP TEN AND THEY EXPECT NOTHING FROM US. AND THEY ARE RIGHT.  CAUSE YOU HAVENT DONE ANYTHING YET. WHAT HAVE YOU WON? WHAT TITLES DO YOU HOLD? YOUR A BUNCH OF NOBODY’S!!! AND TONIGHT THAT CAN ALL CHANGE. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS OR HOW UGLY IT MAY BE, WE WILL COME OUT ON TOP BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE AFRAID OF WHAT WE WANT TO BECOME.”

Before every game I give each of my players a card with an inspirational something 

Game Card #1 

“I’m not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We’ll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you’re not alone
Holla if you feel that you’ve been down the same road”

~Emeniem “Not afraid”

The night before the first game.

I should be in bed already.

But I’m anxious for it to be 7:15pm tomorrow.

We have our first district game,

against one of our most hated rivals.

My captain and soul has a sprained ankle. Out for 2 weeks.

And my “go to girl” just came off of a strained hamstring injury.

My setter, well lets just say she hasnt put her best foot forward yet.

So, naturally I’m anxious.

I’m not anxious to see how it all unfolds.

I’m anxious to witness a leader emerge.

A group of players unite.

A group of parents stunned at what their daughters have done.

I’m anxious.

I’m ready.

Sleep Well

practice went well…but

i have a problem with my setter.

She walks around like a hall of famer.

Like she has done everything she could ever possibly do to walk around like her shit don’t stink. Like she has paid her dues.

I have been very hard on her.

Maybe I should back off?

I dont know.

But, something has to change.

The player who walked out on me left a very big shoes to fill. My replacement is not up to par. But she gets better every day and I cant ask for anything more than that. 

I’m going to be a great chess player by the end of the season.

“What’s my coaching philosophy? Give a kid a bird, and he becomes one of those weird dudes who walks around with a bird on his shoulder. But give him a pair of wings … and he can fly. Unless he has absolutely no hand-eye coordination.” – Phil