I was there during her first rec-league volleyball match in 6th grade, the year she was home-schooled. It was then that she realized she was actually good at this game. Before then, she had believed volleyball to be nothing but a 'wimpy girl' sport. But it was during that first match that that attitude began to change. She realized that with a little hard work, practice and intensity, volleyball was just as good as any other sport... in fact it was better. And I was there.
I was there when she joined her first club volleyball team, Mountain West, in 7th grade. It was this team that introduced her to the real world of competitive volleyball. It was on this team that she learned just how hard she would have to work and just how fun volleyball really could be. During this season is when she first fell in love with the thrill and pride of getting a bruise. Bruises and blood, to her, meant she was working hard. This team also brought with it many trials to her doorstep. Trials that taught her how to be a teammate and a leader; trials with coaches that prepared her for experiences in her future. It was during this season that she became addicted to the game. And I was there.
I was there for the next two years of club volleyball in the 8th and 9th grades. These two years provided her with great leadership experience and sharpened her volleyball skills. Many hours of many weekends were spent on various volleyball courts, leaving her mark in the form of bloodstains on almost every one. Here she had the opportunity to work with teammates of varying personalities and skill levels which taught her how to work with many different kinds of people and how to adjust to various situations. She still didn't know it but I was there.
I was there for her during her freshman season at North Cache. She is one who easily slips under the radar at school, but as the starting setter for her team, she could no longer hide. People began to recognize her and soon labeled her the volleyball girl. This season helped her earn new levels of respect from her peers as an athlete, a leader and a person. And I was there.
I was there when she returned to her home state of Montana and joined the Hamilton High school volleyball team. Although she was the shy, new girl, it took only one practice for her to earn the respect of her new teammates and it was in the first game that she earned admiration from the crowds both home and opponent. I was there when she slammed her head into the pole and had to get stitches. But thankfully she had still not welcomed me yet... that was a bloody mess I didn't deserve. This team is where her confidence soared to new levels as she surpassed expectations and made the varsity team. Perhaps my proudest moment of her is when she aced the star player of the number one team... in front of the rogue, opponent crowd. This season was the hardest she had to deal with up to this point. She dealt with a coach who didn't have control of a team as well as with senior teammates who were jealous. But she survived and only grew stronger because of it. And I was there.
Her junior year at HHS was possibly one of the best in her high school career. The biggest reason being... this was the year she finally accepted me. But also, she had earned the respect of almost all of her teammates as well as the position of floor captain. Living in a small town, it wasn't long before many members of the community had heard of her abilities and came to support her. This season she was surrounded by mostly fun, talented, and supportive teammates along with a new coach for whom they all had respect. This was the year that she fought her way to lead the conference in aces, even scoring 11 in a row in one game; our favorite number. It was this season that she became notorious for running into chairs, tables and even cheerleaders while chasing volleyballs during some hard-fought matches. Only this time I couldn't avoid the bloody messes. Proudly standing on her back, despite the blood, I was there.
I was still there with her during her senior year, which was a fun but tough one. Fun because she was the team captain with good teammates surrounding her but tough because we weren't sure if this was going to be our last year together. This season was an exhausting one as almost all of their matches went to five games. I was drenched in sweat or blood or both after almost every single match. But I didn't mind because I knew she was working hard and enjoying what could maybe be her last season. The end of the season came all too soon and I was there to soak up her tears at the final whistle of the last match of the season. Although the end of the chapter was sad, beaming with pride at her election to all-state, I was there.
I was there in spirit as she got a scholarship offer to play for Montana State University Northern and we worried that we would be temporarily separated. But by the grace of God, we were able to stick together. Two old friends, taking on a new team. This year turned out to be the hardest she would ever endure but we endured it together. She dealt with being abandoned by a coach, temper problems of a new coach, and teammates with no morals. To go into details of the struggles of this season would take days... but it sufficeth to say that it was miserable. But at least we were miserable together because through all the tears, extra blood, stress, and pain... I was there.
I was there when she decided to join another team after taking a year and a half break. This time she ventured out to Southern Virginia University and although it was far, she brought me with her. This season got off to a rough start with the switching of coaches and not knowing anyone on the team but ended up being tolerable. The new, inexperienced coach switched us back and forth between positions so much I swore she was getting whiplash, but we survived together. This season taught her many lessons but the biggest was about being grateful for opportunities despite difficulties. Through all the lessons this season brought her, I was still there.
I was there for her final season as a competitive player, although she didn't know it was her final season right away. This year brought another new coach that would be her favorite and new friendships with old and new teammates. By far this was the most enjoyable season we'd had together. Although it wasn't without its trials, it was this season that made all the trials of the previous ones worth it. She created beautiful memories with her teammates and coaches and experienced a lot of consistent success. She even earned 'athlete of the week' honors for the country following a particularly successful weekend leading to ultimately being named an honorable-mention all-American. She was surprised to receive such honors but I was not. Standing on her back and in her heart, more proud than ever before, I was there.
Last week it became official. Official that we would never step on the court together again in an organized, competitive setting. Letting go of volleyball was one of the hardest decisions she's made, but it was a good one. Volleyball has taught her so much. So much about competing, learning, fighting, enduring, working together and life. She has had many great experiences paired with many bad ones and each taught her something that has made her who she is today. Although she never imagined life without volleyball she looks forward to new experiences and sharing her volleyball experience with other young girls and boys who love the game like she does. After thinking, struggling, and praying she has finally decided that it's okay to hang up the knee pads. And even though I will miss our time together greatly I will always be there in the back of her mind and in the bottom of her heart as her longest, favorite teammate and favorite number. Number Eleven.
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