"Johnny Can't Decide" (TICK, TICK....BOOM!!)

Well Wednesday night started the winter season for the Dinkin' Do-Nots. We were all glad to start a new season after ending the playoffs on such a sour note. We had one replaced player but overall the rest of the team came back with a lot of positive attitude and great hopes. The other team had mostly girls with one guy as their captain and one guy as a sub. The sub guy was their strongest player with a consistent serve and a solid hitting approach. We knew to watch out for this guy, he would be our biggest problem. Of course, the first two games went by so fast because the play was fast-paced and we kept going back and forth in our scoring. They were both close games where we came from behind to win with the same 16-14 score. Then their sub guy had to leave before the third game so we thought we could relax but the girls provided a good defense, just going for anything and everything we threw at them. We had a few problems on our side with serves and dropped balls. We fell apart and they were strong on the other side so we lost that third game. We were all disappointed in ourselves because we should not have lost that game but it's the first game and we just have to be more prepared next time. I also noticed and another player told me that I hold back a lot when I play in a league game versus when I play at open play. I don't hit as hard or serve as tough like I'm holding back. I'm just more worried about making a play that goes in that can possibly score a point than when I'm at Brandeis where I'm comfortable hitting and serving. I know it's totally a mental case in point but that's a lot of this game--mental.

"Seasons of Love" (RENT)

Last night was my first night as a referee for Urban. I thought I would be nervous but the situation had familiarity written all over it. First, I got assigned to Brandeis which I feel is like my home base for volleyball. Over the last few weeks, I've been watching them put up the nets during set-up for open play and never did it by myself. Well, I had to do it alone when I arrived to set-up for the games last night. They said it was easy and it was once I looked things over first, but I put the net on the poles upside down when I cranked it up, which takes a little time, so I had to re-do it which took about 20 minutes and backed up my games just a little. I had to make up some time so I had to make my calls quick and make the pace of the game move steadily. I had very different divisions to call which was really interesting, including my own division, D11 co-ed, where the Dinkin' Do-Nots hope to have another great season. I was a little nervous in the beginning but once I got going then everything felt so comfortable up on that stand. I had a couple of calls that could have been better, more firm in its execution but overall I did okay. My assignor agreed and I'll continue to get calls for matches which is awesome. I also did a self-evaluation and with each time you ref there are calls you think about and how you can do better in making those calls. I want to make sure that I'm the kind of referee that the players enjoy, may not always agree with the calls but respect the call. Now that I'm doing this, I'm also hoping to get some boys matches this spring season if my schedule permits. I didn't get a chance to work any girls games in the fall because we were in the midst of our fundraising drive but I'm hoping to get a few matches in for this spring season with the boys season. Anyway, I'm happy to be up on that stand and growing in this sport that I enjoy so much.