2019
<<< Note, details are vague in the early years. Feel free to provide me some context >>>
2019 was Dash and Trevor's first year of volleyball, starting with beach.
Not sure where Shahab was this year.
I don't remember much about this season other than it was Dash's first foray outside (overly) competitive basketball. Pulling up to the courts after practice was over, Coach Brooake and Coach Mark were working with Dash and another player. Watching the coaches with the boys, I completely lost it. The last couple of seasons had some really unprofessional coaches. Dash was relaxed and having a good time - and learning. I knew immediately and intrinsically that I could trust Brooke and Mark without any reservations whatsoever. Dash was in good care. That he and I had no longer had to worry about me placing him in an abusive environment overwhelmed me. I'll always be grateful.
Dash and Trev as freshman were not factors in the JV competition. I'm not even sure they were partners, though they did play informally together.
I don't remember much about the season other than all the boys seemed to have a good time.
Indoor
In addition to Varsity and JV, 2019 Indoor had a Freshman/Sophomore team. Ah, the heady lush Pre-Covid days...
By now, both Trevor and Dash had a season of Coast experience (Dash, 14-years old, played on 16u team - all 14-year olds and one 16-year old. They got consistently destroyed, but unlike basketball, they were not physically battered - thank you, net.).
Note from Feb 27:
Really memorable emotional juxtaposition Tuesday vs. Wednesday.
Dash had his first school indoor sixes volleyball match (Freshman/Sophomore team) on Tuesday. Leigh and I were incredulous. In seven years of basketball, we were never much confused about when Dash was on the bench. In the elite leagues and teams, he was often not an elite player.
After serving the last five points to close out the SET 1 win, he basically didn't play the remaining two sets in the match loss. Brand new players were making the typical brand new player mistakes - a LOT. Like being unable to get serves in. ???
Leigh and I were completely "WTF?!" "What is the coach's criteria here? What is he doing?" There may be a bit of personality conflict there. We don't know, but Dash is very consistent from his Club Season. He is NOT a beginner. We were quite shocked - never felt that way in basketball.
YESTERDAY, we set up a net at De Anza Cove, specifically to play some pickup with Dash and whoever would join us.
"Dash, our goal here is to make it inescapable to coach that he can't keep you on the bench. Your game is clearly up-to-speed, we'll make it better. Personalty stuff will work itself out with good attitude and working hard. You got this."
Note from the Feb 29 "Novice Series" pool event:
"Dash had a good day today. Seven players for the Pool Event. Lots of playing time. Trevor was the best player. Dash was probably second. A much better showing today for all than on Tuesday."
March 6
(I had to majorly edit this post. I was way too frustrated when I posted it at the game).
I thought I’d go to hell for wishing opposing 9-year olds miss their free throws. Volleyball is a graver sin as Dash sits on the bench when he's one of the top two players of the nine at the game.
Scripps Ranch tonight with the Coach who sat Dash almost all of the first match last Tuesday and the first game tonight.
Dash sat game 1. We lost 25-8. Dash only played Game 2 tonight. We lost that one 25-23. Dash played with zero errors, great passes, good hits. The other team basically targeted our weakest player who played both games.
Volleyball is a harsh game for the players with less experience and skill. I've certainly been that player. Nothing worse than when the other team figures out you're the weak link and starts attacking you. Service Receives, knowing it's coming to you, sucks. You're on an Island of Shame when it's shank, shank, shank. (Fortunately, I play on a court I belong on now (thanks, friends!), and my passing (except for this Wednesday) has been passable).
Bless me, Father, for I have thought ill thoughts about young men trying their hardest and a coach I don't understand...
Lord, please start Dash so that my heart may be saved.
March 12, 2020
Frosh team was really flat and error-prone yesterday. Team funk. Lost the two sets 28-26, 25-23.
Things felt normal. Dash (#16) played the first set and then subbed in the second. He had a few errors (including two on two-handing over the net (they call them tighter as it was technically a JV game), but was still very solid.
March 13
COVID shuts down the season.
March 26 - 2021!!
Sports' age cutoff tends to be based on school grade. Back when Dash was 4, we really didn't think much about the sports impact when pre-school said "he knows all he needs to know, get him out of here." Off to kindergarten.
The immediate result of him being very young for his grade is that he's playing older kids. For whatever reason, it seems our basketball teams were always playing UP a grade, sometimes two.
The emotional result is that he was always getting pummelled and seldom found much glory. Paying dues is fine, but at some point you need some positives to stay motivated.
High School Volleyball is attempting a go in face of COVID. UCHS tryouts and practice is experienced juniors and seniors. Trevor is out with a shoulder injury, so he's the only undreclassman. They're taller than him, and the big difference between a 15 year old and 17 and 18 year olds is MUSCLE. "Dad, they're HUGE!" So, he's going through another round of being the smaller thin guy.
Yesterday after practice, getting in the car his bearing was completely different. He said "that was fun". ! The gist is that were playing 4's, and his 4 team won the round robin and then when they were picking sixes teams, the big guys pick him 7 out of the 16 guys there (#4 on his team). Validation, not from unqualified parents, but from the older, experienced athletes.
We really are so happy for him. Sports should be fun, and getting acknowledged takes so much pressure off.
This day did turn out to be the turning point in his sports career.
April 26
To Rule in Hell or To Serve in Heaven? A little of both? It's been an unusual season with COVID, but at least it's going forward.
Got a surprise "you're allowed in to watch the match" text tonight. Caught the last two sets of a 3 set JV match against Coronado. UC won both in extra points.
Dash is the top dog on the JV team (all very inexperienced players). He doesn't quite lead as strongly as he should. He's very quiet when out in public. His play has been very good (good jump serves, zero service errors). By set three tonight he was Hitting Angry. Really solid. One service return error, but otherwise error-free.
Playing with JV is more about leadership practice (he's Captain). Heck, I have zero effectiveness in leading (but you know that already). He is strong willed, but doesn't impose it. Needs to learn how and when to do that.
He practices with Varsity quite often, so does get some good up-level practice (though those kids are much bigger and stronger). They respect him, which is very important to him.
(Note: it is very stressful watching beginners. Volleyball really does take some experience to get it to where errors are Forced Errors and you don't see Surprise! regularly on the faces of the players.) Rally-scoring adds to the drama.