"I Still Believe" (MISS SAIGON)

The title of "volleyball junkie" was actually thought of by the volleyball slut herself, Haruna. When I met Haruna, she would play on her own teams and then "sub" on other teams when she could. She was play almost every night, and she was an awesome player who towered over most. We called her the volleyball slut strictly as a term of endearment and respect. She was another open play creature that I had seen and played against but did not really know. That changed when I played on her team for a charity tournament. She was a great captain who made us wear pink shirts as a team. Her enthusiasm, potty mouth, and creativity really made her standout. I loved going to cheer her and others on if I didn't have a game so it became more like an addiction. So she called me a volleyball junkie. She moved to California last year for her job, and in true Haruna fashion, she already had a tournament lined up to play the first weekend after she arrived driving cross country. Like I said--volleyball slut.

As I entered the winter season of 2004, a few team members wanted to continue in the new season. But we still needed to fill some spots so we had to do some recruiting at an open scrimmage. Now the tables were turned and it was our turn to ask people to join our team. We already had one interested person, my college friend Barbara, ready to join us. So Anne, Julie, Gaby, Norm, and myself showed up at open scrimmage to pick up a few new people--Mark C., Irene, and Carlos G. This would comprise the group known as Team REZ. Again, we kept playing with a lot of promise, just not the results we wanted. I became so critical of myself which is not an unusual thing, but I was realizing the areas that needed help--ME--because I was captain for the first time. Being captain means being the emotional stronghold of a team, they provide substance to build upon for a team. Each week before the game, I would send encouraging team messages and then recap the match asking for input and opinions. I didn't know if I was failing or just barely making it because I was dealing with my own errors on the court. I wish someone had instructed me on how to be a captain, but I didn't know too many others playing volleyball besides my team to ask questions. Not only do you have to make sure your team makes it to the match, you have to give the line-up, provide cheerful support, and basically become an emotional center. Your own mental state has to be put on the backburner because the team as a whole has to come first in the match. If you make an error, get over it and get ready for the next point whether it be yourself or someone else (I know that now but then?). I was a complete mess. My teammates kept believing in the best, I just wish I had gotten over my own personal demons to actually help me believe in ourselves. I was a bit of a disappoint that first time out as a captain. We didn't finish on top but we weren't at the bottom either so that was something to be proud of.


SCORECARD
Brandeis Open Play