Volleyball, Down South

OK, so a few months ago (was it really that long ago?) I come home from a business trip. Jane is away in Florida for a stamp show and she has left for me a sign up sheet for Adult Co-ed Volleyball at the YMCA. The form is mostly filled in and, well, I can take a hint.

Now, it's not like I hadn't considered this before. I've played volleyball before. I played in high school, I played for the provincial team, I played in university (three different teams), I played club, heck I have more provincial titles than most people. I was even the Newfoundland Male Volleyball Player of the Year (a huge deal when you're not from there!) But men's volleyball here is not what you would call strong. The best male players here would be mediocre up north. Men's volleyball is much stronger in New England and Canada. Anyway, you can see where I'm going with this.

I have always been competitive. You could even say I hate to lose. I was afraid this wasn't going to be a good idea, but I needed something to try to shed the pounds I had gained since moving to SC.

I signed up, but not before deciding that if I was going to do this I was going whole hog. I also signed up for another league at the Pavilion, where Isabelle does her skating lessons. I'll explain later in another post, and no we don't play on the ice! We do play on a hockey rink but it's a roller blade rink.

So a week before the YMCA league starts I get a call from the Y. They want me to coach/captain a team. I agree, since in the box that said would you coach or captain a team I had put "Maybe". There were three teams registered and seven more people registered as individuals. The individuals all got lumped together and were made a team. I now have six more friends than I had before. I think this was part of Jane's plan.

So here I am captain/coach of this team at my first game. First order of business is meet everyone. Then we go over the rules since they keep changing them. Then it's: who has played before? Jim hasn't played in ten or so years. One of the girls has never played. Three others are a little rusty and have little competition experience. One is pretty good but needs some practice. The team is looking a little rough. Well, here goes.

First game isn't too bad but we get pretty well thumped. No problem, I had fun and am making friends. At the end of the night we pick a color: green. I happened to be wearing green that night. Then we pick a name. I said: Waves, since I used to coach a team called the Waves in NS. I also decide to take it up a notch on the skills.

The next Tuesday is open night at the Y. We get some of the team together and practice a little. The girls improve as we work on the basics. We play a little scrimmage afterwards and things are looking up.

The next week we play another team. I think they expected an easy game but we hold our own. It goes to three and we win, despite me putting my serve in the net on the opening serve. Way to go Waves!

It all looked good until one of the players on the other team gives me an ear full on sportsmanship and playing for fun. I didn't think I had said anything wrong so I let it go, but we were keeping score weren't we? There is a referee there keeping things in line, right? No one else seems to have an issue with me, so I try to forget it. We'll see what next week brings. The issue may have been the coaching I was doing from the court, but I have a team that can use some support, encouragement, and a little direction. I believe one of the things about the Y is also to improve your skills and be active, as well as good sportsmanship and values, off course. Oh well, what can you do. I'll try to behave.

Now on to the next team. As I walked into the Pavilion for their open night where you sign up and get assigned a team I saw one team that caught my attention. They had a good setter and two girls that could hit better than most guys. After scoping things out I asked them if they needed another player. They agreed, knowing I would miss out on a few weeks because of work and travel.

Initially I was afraid I'd step on someone's toes (remember this, it gets punny later) but they seem to accept me. I suppose it didn't hurt that they probably would rather play with me than against me. In the end things have worked out, until this last week.

Thursday we were playing a stronger team. Things were heating up after a win by us in the first game. The second game was going well but about halfway through I jumped up only to land on a teammate's foot. My ankle rolled and it felt serious.

A visit to the local clinic before it closed on the night it happened and I'm in and out in about 50 minutes, and that is with X-rays! Ice, elevation, compression, and rest...maybe some physiotherapy...lots of Advil...and here I am a few days later. Lots of bruising but no major tears or breaks. I should be back at it this week with my trusty Active Ankle Braces. They are well worth the $90 I paid for them ten years ago, or was it longer than that? Either way I will certainly keep wearing them.

Now for team three. Did I mention another fellow saw me play and wants me to play with him? The teams just keep getting better and better. Jane will likely regret getting me back into this...