Final Volleyball Game

Tonight is the last game for the Lobo’s eight grade volleyball girls, as they participate in the tournament at Dragon School. It is about six thirty on this chilly autumn Thursday evening. The outside of the school is sparsely lite , with only a group of about four adolescent boys – I wonder why they are outside instead of inside the gym.

As I enter the gym I wonder why the game was held here, for as I mentioned in an earlier field note, the gym is small with no bleachers – only some metal folding chairs set on the stage and one side of the court. No tickets are being sold –I assume due to lack of man-power on this weekday night and numerous entrances. There is a security guard present. Why is this I ponder, is this because the event is being held on a weekday and thus needs the security guard to prevent unruly students from disrupting the tournament game?  Also I don’t see any administrators from either school. A Lobo administer usually attends tournament games to cheer on their athletes, and the host school official attends as it is their duty to aid in the success of putting on the event.

The snack bar is open, so before the game starts I buy myself a coke, and receive the generic brand for the same price that most schools sell the name brand soda- I have to admit this is a smart choice for it allows a better profit to be reaped  ,for the sellers buy the generic soda at the market for a cheaper price than the cost of name brand beverages. There is only one adult manning the concessions, occasionally advising the Dragon students that are doing the work. Though I am unsure this must be  club sponsored ,for no one is wearing matching tee-shirts.

Looking around the gym as I make my way to my seat on the stage, I notice there are still 32 banners, visible insulation, and broken panels.  I wonder will the insulation be fixed during the winter break  , or is the school waiting to see if it’s worth fixing for the bond –which will get them a new gym- will be voted upon later this year. The gym’s lights given off an orangey glow which is customary with older lights – again I predict whether or not they are replaced will be determined by the passage of the bond.

Both teams are running drills.  There is a tense atmosphere in both teams for unlike other games, the athletes on either team are goofing around, and the athletes smiling face are replaced with looks of determination and concentration. You can tell this is a last game from the seriousness which I attribute to the fact that there is a sense of finality, as these girls are eighth graders and some may never play on a school volleyball team again. Also unlike last time the Lobos faced the Dragons, there are girls who are wearing medical braces. Two girls on the Dragon team have knee braces, while on the Lobo team one girl has a brace on her knee and another has her ankle wrapped.  Seeing as both teams show evidence of some injury, it was not due to coaching methods but rather a common fate of playing a sport.

Observing the young women coaches of both teams, I see that the kind relationship they had with their girls in no longer as both coaches have serious expressions- most likely due to the pressure of this final game.

Sitting on the stage, I notice that the crowd is composed of mainly middle age adults and children in school uniforms. Taking into account that it is a weekday, I believe that in contrast to Saturday games, more siblings of the athletes are present. English is mainly being spoken. The Dragon’s Student Council is here once again- already they are loud so I’m guessing they will be energetic throughout the game .

The game is starting. The Lobos have first serve. Though both teams are not using the bump ,set ,spike pattern, a common feature of a skilled game – rather , just hitting the ball-both teams are playing well as during this first game they are working as team-communicating and intentionally passing the ball to teammate instead of just hitting the ball. The Lobos are using teamwork, and I guessing from the change of haughty expressions to attentiveness on the Dragons face, they were expecting an easy game-due to Lobo infighting - like last time.  There is volleying going on between the teams, and the points are not easily acquired. The points are being made after intense volleying back and forth.  It is too strong of a spike that causes the ball to go out of bounds. Missing their serves also leads to the opposing team getting points. And though the game is close the Dragons win the game 25 to 23.

The second game begins, and instead of being discouraged, the Lobos seem to be working harder to win. There is an increase in communication and teamwork as the girls are not yelling and are respecting the calling of the ball to prevent run ins. This game is getting intense for the fans and coaches.  One of the Lobo player gets a yellow card for arguing with the referee over a bad call. I find this infuriating for in the previous play a dragon player argued with the referee longer and louder and yet did not get a yellow card. I have no logical explanation, for during the first game the referee showed no favoritism for one team. The crowd is also enraged as I hear multiple shouts of calling for a fair game.  I was right about student council, they are cheering on their team with fervor, trying to drown out my families cheers –I find them obnoxious with them repeating their school name in correspondence to every Lobo bump. The Lobo girls on the bench are responding with loud cheering and attempts at wolf howling.

The dragons are getting frustrated, instead of rolling the ball under the net they are throwing it over the net when it is Lobo serve. Also they are yelling at one another from what I can hear in addition to their facial expressions of knitted brows and scowls. The Lobos win the second game 25 to 18.

Third game begins; this will decide who wins. Lobo coach decides to play the majority of the team which had just won, while replacing two girls from first team. The Dragon team plays her first team. This could be anyone’s win –both teams are equally matched on skill so this will be decided on teamwork and avoidance of making silly mistakes. Again there is no consistent pattern of strategy. Interpreting to how hard the spikes are coming down, the height the ball gets with bumps, and the strength behind the serves you can see the desperation of both teams to win, as they are using more power behind their moves. The Dragons win the game due to a killer server, ending the match with 25 to 21.

The dragons are ecstatic as are their fans. Fans and athletes are loud with the girls hugging and jumping around. The Lobo fans are more somber, and the Lobo team goes off the corner of the gym for their last huddle. I leave the stage and move closer to the huddle. Though I can’t hear, I know this is an emotion episode for some girls have tears streaming down their face. The coach gives those flowers, and dismisses the huddle yet the girls stick around to give her a hug as well as other team members. Photos are taken. I’m assuming though they lost they are celebrating the whole experience, which is confirmed when my athlete comes to me and tells me that despite all the drama she is glad she joined the sport.