Volleyball Tournament

Today was not a typical Sunday for us.  Since our HS boys basketball team played in the state tournament yesterday, the athletic boosters were not available to help with the 5th and 6th grade volleyball tournament our school was hosting and it was moved to today.  Jeremy stayed home with Sylvia this morning and got her ready and to the school for the tournament.

I took Annah and Caeden to church with me, so we could prepare for the service.  We have worship band rehearsal at 8:30 on Sunday mornings.  It's a nice way to be sure we are awake by the time the service starts at 10am!

As soon as the service was over, I took the response cards (part of my weekly job is to compile the information from them) and got the kiddos and booked it out to Colfax.  We got there about 5 minutes into Sylvia's team's first game.

This volleyball season has been different than "normal."  Last year, high school students coached the 5th and 6th grade teams and went to several games with them.  Some parents complained that there weren't adult coaches, so the high school student coaching thing wasn't considered an option this year.  So, the two teachers who coach the 7th and 8th grade teams were gracious enough to put together a practice one night a week for these 5th and 6th grade girls.  They were so busy running nightly practices and taking the JH team to their games; we were fortunate and are grateful they even agreed to run any kind of a 5th and 6th grade program at all!  

Today, after only 8 practices together, the girls played their first and only tournament of the season.  They lost all 8 sets they played.  They didn't look confident, and were obviously nervous.  But they enjoyed the opportunity and got a little experience. 

 

Sylvia learned how to serve overhand this season, so that was a major growth point for her.  She served several over the net today, and even earned her team some points.

There were only four 6th graders playing, so they were divided up among the two teams made up mostly of 5th graders.  Two other schools came to the tournament with 2 or 3 teams each.

"Good game!  Good game!  Good game!"

After the tournament was over, our girls stayed for a scrimmage.

Sometimes she still served underhand.

Sylvia has also made closer friendships and new friends with the 5th grade girls this season--another good thing.

Listening to Coach...

Good scrimmage, friends!

And a team photo to end the day...

The season had started out in some confusion for us...We didn't understand that all 6th graders were required to try out for the JH (7th/8th) grade team.  There were odd 6am tryouts, and not much communication to parents of 6th graders.  Sylvia didn't make the 7th grade team, and then had to decide whether or not she wanted to play on a team that would only practice once a week and not have games until this one tournament.  She agonized a lot over it, but decided that she loves volleyball and wanted to continue to learn and enjoy the game.  

So, it ended with positives:  She didn't have the hectic daily schedule of the JH team. She learned.  She gained some confidence.  She made new friends.  She grew closer to her teammates and coaches. Definitely worth it!

Volleyball friends

I got to school a few minutes early to pick Sylvia up from volleyball practice tonight, and thought I might sneak in and watch her for a few minutes.  They were already finishing up, so I just waited in the commons for her.

When she walked around the corner, her friend Alexis' little 1st-grade brother hug-attacked her and would not let go.  I discovered that he apparently has quite a crush on her.  It was pretty cute.

Sylvia and her friend Kaidence have matching pink and green brackets on their braces.  I think Kaidence got hers on the week after Sylvia, so they are commiserating.

When I asked to take the picture of Sylvia and Kaidence, Daniel wanted in the picture too.  So I told him I would take one of everyone together.  

L to R: Daniel, Sylvia, Emma (peeking thru the back), Alexis, Kaidence, Taylor

More hugs from Daniel, whose mother had to pick him up like a little baby and carry him out of the school (while he shouted, "I love you Sylvia!") so he would leave Sylvia alone.  

Divide and conquer

Sometimes we have to "divide and conquer" to get everyone where they need to be, and today was one of those days.

I had committed to accompanying Ridgeview's high school musicians while they participated in Solo/Ensemble Contest today, and it turned out to be in Argenta-Oreana, which is a ways away.  We had a great day!!  All 9 of these kids performed very well, behaved well, and represented our school and community beautifully.  I was so proud of each of them, and glad to be part of helping them prepare and perform.

Meanwhile, Ridgeview was hosting a big 5th and 6th grade volleyball tournament.  Jeremy helped in concessions for a couple hours of the day, Caeden went to a friend's for part of the day, and Annah cheered on Sylvia and her team in FOUR games!  

All reports I received said that Sylvia played very well, as did her entire team.  They came in 2nd in the consolations.  Volleyball is now over for the season, and we are glad for all the progress she's had this year.  

A birthday win

It's Sylvia's 11th birthday today! 

 It has been a crazy-busy week.  The kids all have ISAT testing and lots of extra evening activities.  We are trying to balance it all.  

Tonight Sylvia's volleyball team played two games at TriValley.  I canceled two lessons so I could go, since it's her birthday.  I'm glad I did.  They played two hours of volleyball!  They were much better matched with these teams, and the second match of their second game was very close.  

One girl was having a great serving streak, and the coaches took her out after several serves that brought the game  to a tie. After the opposing team finished their turn, one of the (high school girl) coaches made the strange decision (we still aren't sure if it was illegal or not) to put that girl back in as server.  The other coach called us on it, of course.  The parents were kind of looking around, embarrassed, wondering why the coaches had even tried that.  The other team's coach was gracious and allowed the game to finish with another server, and our girls won the match.  So they played and won a third match.  It was very exciting for them.  

Sylvia played well.  

)

Losing but Winning

We returned to Pontiac today so Sylvia's team could play to come in absolutely last place in the tournament.  I'm not sure she read the bracket well enough to know that, but I do think she was disappointed to be benched after a few minutes of play in the first match and no playing at all in the second.  Many parents seem upset about various things with this 5th grade volleyball season, but we have actually appreciated the way it's been run.  Yes, the team has lost every match they've played, but Sylvia has learned a lot, improved, gained confidence on the court, had fun, and grown closer to her teammates.  To us, that is what should be all about!  We don't care if they don't win a single game; it's 5th grade!  They're supposed to be learning. 

The 6th grade team was there to cheer them on, and led them in this chant over and over...

St. Mary's Tourney

Sylvia's volleyball team played in a tournament tonight in Pontiac.

She has really been enjoying volleyball more.  

In her game earlier this week, she won candy for being the loudest, most encouraging player on the team that night.

This is how Annah and Caeden watch Sylvia's games.  Okay, they do watch when she serves.

She has learned quite a bit and has gained confidence on the court over the season.

Two high school girls have been coaching these 5th graders at most of their games lately.

Sylvia had a good serve!

Sadly, the girls lost both of their games pretty badly tonight. They still have to come back tomorrow to play another.

Volleyball Scrimmage

Yesterday, Sylvia was supposed to have her first "real" volleyball game.  However, the visiting school canceled it for inclement weather reasons.  Sylvia had been so excited all day with building anticipation, she exploded in tears when she got home and told me the game was canceled.  It actually turned out well, as Caeden was going for a sleepover at Owen's, and we were able to arrange for Eliza to come to our house for "the old switcheroo," as the kids like to call it.  The girls giggled and played in Sylvia's room, watched a movie, and had a great time hanging out.  It definitely made up for the missed volleyball game.

Tonight was supposed to be Sylvia's second game--turned first official game.  However, there was a miscommunication between coaches and it turned into a scrimmage.  That was actually for the best, I think, since these girls were pretty nervous.  A scrimmage turned out to be fun and much less nerve-wracking.  It was fun to watch them.

Sylvia chose number 8 for her jersey--the same number her brother wears for baseball.  

Sylvia serving