Volleyball Today

My parents are here & we're going to Greenville this afternoon to watch Mary Lee play at Hampton Park. Even Andrew gets to go - he originally thought that he wouldn't be able to, but his rehearsal time was changed.

It is hard to believe that she's playing her last game at HP today. I remember when she was a new player on the JV team and was put in late in one game. It was her turn to serve, and she underhanded a gentle lob up from the line. Everyone in the gym thought it wasn't going to clear the net - including the HP girls. Well, it barely went over and they were caught unaware. She went on to lob five points, each one misleading both teams, as well as the fans, by barely going over the net! The other team finally caught on, but it took them awhile. And now she hits power overhand serves, and has to hold back just to keep them from going so far that they go out of bounds at the back.

Pastor Brown coached JV back then, as he is again this year, and put her on as manager/player. He told me he wasn't sure if she could do it (this was in 7th grade) but he saw a little spark in her that made him decide to give her a try--and she's been playing ever since, for four different coaches on both JV and varsity teams. He said that she is his inspiration for putting some girls on the team that he is not really sure about but thinks they just might have what it takes.

It is a joy to watch my daughter, who has sat her share of pine throughout the years, be a key player on her team.