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.  

Panthers vs Lobos Volleyball

Saturday morning, the first day of November, the final game before tournaments for the Lobos volleyball team. This Saturday corresponds to their homecoming week- I wonder will the pride the athletes feel change their attitudes on the court.  It’s about nine thirty, the games are being hosted at their Lower Valley home court at Lobo Middle School. Both volleyball and football are playing here, so as a result like always there is no parking at the gravel designated parking area. Other SUVs and I are forced to park on the side of one of the intersecting streets.

 Upon entering the gym, I am shocked to find out that the school is charging an entrance price to see the game. Twenty five cents for students and fifty cents for adults are the fees. At first I wonder why they have decided to start charging an entrance fee, after all this time – it’s the last game of the season.  When I ask one of the people selling concession I get an answer. Apparently the ticket lady usually acts as a parent-volunteer here at the school but is actually employed by the district, as is thus getting paid by the district to sell tickets here. This brings me to the question of, where was she earlier in the season, why now. I find out later from asking around, with three people providing me with inside information- apparently there is a power struggle going on with many of  the schools volunteers and thus she decided to fill in the vacant ticket seller spot in order to better her relations with administration and position in the school. The concession stand –which is still a collection of three plastic fold-able tables - big sellers are coffee , and nachos – all things nice and warm on a chilly cloudy day as is today.  . The bleachers are not as full as I thought it would be for the final game, with only pockets of people occupying the wooden seats. The seventh graders are finishing their third game. Today’s opponents are the Panthers. Panther MS is the second closet middle school to Lobo MS, located also in the lower valley.

The seventh grader are exhibiting team work. If they win this game then they are eligible to play at the upcoming tournament for the title of champions of the district. They are communicating with one another, adjusting their formation in order to cover open spots when their fellow player goes up for the spike or block. Instead of just hitting the ball, their strategies while playing in doing a bump, set, spike series. The seventh grade Panthers, though not as skill as the Lobos, are equal in energy and determination. I’ve observed that the Lobo’s seventh grade coach’s manner of dealing with her girls during a game has not changed. She still is critical on the girls and I can hear her yelling from my seat on the bleachers. Is it this tough relationship with her girls that has made the team victors in almost every game, for she emphasizes discipline and demands perfection? The Panther’s coach is a man who appears to be in his twenties. I don’t hear any yelling from him, and it appears that instead of reprimanding his team, he is trying to correct them as he demonstrates proper technique from the side.

I notice the eighth grade athletes seated behind the seventh graders. The panther team is encouraging on their athletes, the majority of them seem to be paying attention as they chant cheers. The eight grade Lobos on the hand are mixed in their behavior. Some are cheering on their seventh graders, two of them appeared bored (not watching the game, I can see both on their phones), and the rest of them are talking to the football managers that decided to leave the field and come socialize in the gym. In previous games, the athletes seemed more polite, is it the fact that it is the end of the season that they carefree. The seventh graders win the game 25 to 18.

Eighth graders game is to begin in fifteen minutes.

I wonder why there are not as many people here as usual. Is it because it is  late in the season , are people more interested in football as it is the homecoming game, had the Halloween festivities contributed to the low turnout? I look out into the crowd and see that very little people are wearing school related t-shirts, and besides me no one has a sign. Can this lack of spirit be attributed to the ending of the season? Spanish and English are being spoken by both groups of fans which appear to be mainly Hispanic.

Unlike usual when a game is won the seventh grade Lobos stay to cheer on the eighth graders, but I don’t see any except for the coach’s daughter.  I’m guessing it is because the homecoming football game is going on outside. Observing   the warm up of both teams, appear to be equally matched. How will this game turn out?

The game begins with Lobos having the first serve. This game is characterized by intense volleying by both teams. Unlike other games, points are not being easily earned by missed serves or careless mistakes or lack of hustling to the ball. Both teams are communication, hustling to the ball, working as team, and as a result the game is fast pace, the girls on either team are not getting discouraged so easily. Thirty five minutes into the game the score lands at Lobos 21 to Panthers 20. Lobo athlete with uniform # 15 serves. Her serves are precise and come with force. The panthers are unable to pick up her serves as they hit open spaces at a fast speed compared to other girl’s serves.  She wins the first round for the Lobos 25 to 20.

Second game begins, and like the previous match this game is characterized by volleying between both teams. This time though the panthers are partaking in blaming one another, I can hear it and see annoyance and unhappiness on the athlete’s faces. The Lobos seem to be working together unlike previous games, I’m assuming the victory in the earlier match has united them-at least on the court. I look at athletes sitting on the metal chairs and see that there are gaps –empty chairs between girls.

I don’t see the outcome of the game for I have to leave since my athlete has another obligation to attend to – we waited as long as we could before we leave. The coach lets her go, and this brings a concern up. Why did the coach let her go so easily and not insist she stays? Is this commentary on the lack of unity on the team, is this an act of favoritism for my athlete is deemed expendable? I’m afraid both questions can be answered with “yes “.

Lobos vs Conquistadors Volleyball

This week’s game was the second to the last game of the season, it is being held at Conquistador Middle School located in the middle of the district. From what I could see , the school appears well maintained for I spotted no trash on the ground  or damages(chipping paint , graffiti ,cracks in the buildings ) to the building itself. Walking into the school I notice the gym is small, with there being about a two and a half feet extra space between the walls of the stage and the basketball court’s lines. The inside is painted red and blue –appears to be painted recently as the colors are still vivid. I look at the ceiling which appears to be recently redone within the past few years for no panels are broken,and they are all still white.  When I played at this gym years ago, the ceiling was old, as one of the panels fell during our volleyball match. Most likely the new ceiling was redone for  the previous one was a safety hazard , but still it’s nice to see that the district’s  allotted money   has been used to buy a new ceiling and beautify   the school with a new paint job. I also notice that there are no championship banners hanging, like I’ve seen in other schools. Is this because the school has not won any championships in recent years, or do they not desire to purchase banners? Is this lack of banners an indication for how this game will go? There are no bleachers for fans, and even no chairs set up on the stage like how they had at Dragon Middle School. The only seating available are the one role of seats lined against one of the walls with about twenty five chairs. No tickets were being sold, I attribute this to not having the manpower to execute this, for the only person I saw that was not a fan or a coach was the necessary administrator. This differed to the other games when admission is charged when there are other people with name tags -who work for the district- are in attendance for the game.  Though they are not many spectators, and little sitting room, I still hear Spanglish and English being spoken.  I see no Lobo students came to support, and from the limited seating and look of the crowd, it appears that likewise no conquistador’s students went out to support their team

 No concessions are being sold. I assume the reason for no snacks being sold may be that there is no man power to operate this endeavor, and there is no space to fit a snack table as there is barely enough room for fans to be standing. Also most likely a snack stand would not be successful due to the small crowd (less than forty spectators ) and the fact that from my experience of selling I’ve noticed that it’s the  football crowd( which are present almost every game as both teams compete against the same school at the same venue) that buys the most- this week the football game is not being held at the Middle School but at the  close-by high school football field(I saw on the drive to the middle school). This brings up another question, why doesn’t Conquistador Middle have a field that can accommodate football? Is this commentary of the lack of funds the district has, in order to create a field? Is this due to poor planning as from the outside view, it appears the school has no home to expand with the surrounding residential area?

I missed the warm up, so at the moment I have no idea of who has the superior technique. The game begins. The conquistadors have the first serve, it goes over and the Lobos play it. They perform the sequence of a bump, set, and spike and are able to get a point. I wonder will this first point encourage the girls to continue playing as a team in order to win. The score board is old for a few lights are missing that they interfere with the score, plus it has a Coke endorsement sign that is slightly yellowing. Turning back my attention to the game, I observe the lobos losing the ball to the other team with a serve that went out of bounds. The Conquistadors serve the ball, to which the Lobos volley back but when the ball goes over to the Lobo side once more, they bump the ball out of bounds.

The score is now fifteen to ten, with the Conquistadors having 15. The Lobo girls are giving up, and once again are blaming one another. There is not much cheering from the crowd, from Lobo or Conquistador sides – the only cheering is mine and a few from the Lobo seventh graders and my athlete sitting on the bench. The benches the athletes sit on are metal, appear to be new –not individual folding chairs I’ve seen at every game.  I look closer at the athletes and notice that none of the opposing team’s seventh graders are present (the seventh graders sit behind the eighth graders), about six of the Lobo’s seventh graders are present. Is this because they’ve simply decided to take the bus back, are they in good spirits because they won? I also notice that the coaches are not the same age, the Conquistador coach appears to be middle age. She isn’t yelling at her girls like the Lobo coach is – my guess for the Lobo coach yelling is her frustration of her girls giving up. The conquistadors win the game 25 to 19.

Second game begins. I hope that the Lobos do not repeat their pattern of giving up and fighting amongst themselves. Lobos get the first serve, it goes over and scores a point. This win doesn’t last long , for as I watch the game , I notice that though the Lobos have the superior technique/skills (more controlled bumps, higher sets , killers spikes ) the Conquistadors have superior teamwork . When they call the ball, the girls respect the claim and get out of the way so their team member can play it, and they are hustling. Even when they miss the ball, I don’t hear blaming. The Lobos on the other hand, are not hustling and don’t respect the calling of the ball –instead running into one another or leaving their spot defense less to try to get the ball. Though some girls still high five one another or tell them to “shake the mistake off”, the majority of the team doesn’t and I see from their expressions they are upset and faintly hear blaming going on.  Coach is yelling, which from the Lobos expression isn’t helping.  At the last five points the conquistador girls start cheering loudly for their team. The Lobos lose 20 to 25. 

They shakes hand and while the Lobos go to the corner of the gym to talk the winners gather in a circle and chant a victory cheer.  The Lobos break and from the amount of athletes running to their parents to get the form sign to skip the bus ride and go home with them , I assume that few will be riding the bus back – I think about four eighth grade girls will ride the bus as they hanging back near the coaches. As we are leaving, some of the Lobo girls were telling each other “good job” –is this sincere or not? Overall it seemed to me the quickest game, we were done by 10:35 when the game starts at 10:00 am. With another defeat, I sadly don’t think that the Lobos will pull together to win the remaining games.