Having my own personal blog, you'd think I would spend a little more time talking about the great things happening in my life, which includes the joy my wife and kids bring about. Unfortunately I am selfish and talk only movies. Well, for today at least that changes.
Last weekend was the start of Emery's newest sporting venture: volleyball. She has done gymnastics for a long time, but that is just a hobby and not done in any competitive sort of way. She has also dabbled in soccer. If you ask me, she attempted that sport one (probably two) too many times (she played twice).
Based on the limited practice I had done with Emery, I wasn't sure what to expect on Saturday. Surely a court full of 8-year-old girls trying to bump, set, and spike a ball back and forth wouldn't end well, especially after two seasons of seeing 5- and 6-year-old girls kick a ball back and forth. Kicking is WAY easier than the skills that volleyball requires and introductory soccer is a disaster. However, I am happy to report that it wasn't the crotch kick that I thought it would end up being. Especially since the only part of the bump, set, spike combination that is utilized is bumping.
The hour we were there went by quickly and I am proud to brag on Emery that she had one of the best serves on the team. The serve line is moved closer to the net to make things easier, but about half the girls had trouble serving the ball over cleanly. Yet, Emery's lone serve was well executed. Since her team wasn't able to handle the opponent's volley, she only got to serve once in three games, but I expect that to change as she plays more.
Other than her serving, we will have to work on her play when the ball is being volleyed back and forth. It isn't that she is bad at bumping the ball, but she is just not very aggressive. We will be out of town next weekend, so there is a two-week layoff until the next game. During that time I am going to work with Emery to get her to hustle a little more to the ball when it is coming in her direction.
If the first game was the worst of the season, which is usually the case when your kid is learning the fundamentals of a new game, I am looking forward to what is to come. While not the star of the team, Emery is certainly going to be serviceable and that always makes things more enjoyable for everyone involved.
