The first match of 2022.
Masks are still a thing.
Featuring Nate as the only senior and the only player with varsity experience. Everybody else is getting their first Varsity action:
- Juniors Trevor and Dash.
- Sophomores Zion (setter!) and Jeremy.
- A litter of freshmen including Trinton, Bridger, Justin.
Set 1
UC held a 23-21 lead but gave up four straight to drop the set.
Set 2
Got in a hole and couldn't get out.
Set 3 was a back and forth thrilla, UC taking it 29-27
Set 4 was close for a while before Francis Parker had a burst in the middle
Pix:
(this was part of an email response to a parent after our inspiring playoff win against Liberty Charter)
I must say this. These are great events and great times for our kids. Leigh and I are enjoying UC Volleyball immensely. I am photographing, videoing and posting all this because I don’t want to forget any of it. I don’t think the kids can realize it yet, but the parents do: special times are fleeting. Every moment is special and you should never take anything for granted. You never know how long any good thing lasts. Most of the time they are replaced with other good things – but they’re all unique and each special.
COVID – out of the blue – pulled the rug out of a fun season two years ago. You never know when things will change. I was prepared – but still sad – about not seeing Dash play with Nate and Phillip – and Trevor, his wonderful Beach Partner – after the end of this week. I assumed we had at least a couple more matches together for playoffs.
I was shocked yesterday when Dash tested positive for COVID and he couldn't play those last few games with his friends. He couldn't even come to the gym to watch.
Only a couple of games, short, but I wasn’t ready. I took for granted there would be more. It was on The Schedule, dammit.
Every moment is precious.
Last night's great team win uplifted me: next year will be a good year.
We’ll do well, but I already miss Dash with Nate, Phillip and Trevor.
Special thanks to Coach Brooke and Coach Mark. I think they set the amazingly supportive tone for a really healthy culture for our volleyball programs. Thank you to Coach Aaron – Indoor looks like it’s in great hands and will continue to be a source of joy and confidence to our athletes. Thank you, Parents, for all the support you give to the Coaches and to the players and to each other.
Thank you, athletes. It’s a privilege watching you grow, work together, support each other and enjoy each other. These are special times that you may not fully appreciate for decades – but you will.
Embrace. Every. Moment.
2022 Indoor is Over.
What a great year!
Who would have predicted at the before the season that a team of two seniors, three juniors, and a couple of experienced sophomores would not only win the Conference, but be 2022 California State Runnerups!
A fool wouldn't. A biased parent wouldn't. Not even a biased foolish parent would. It didn't happen. Not even close.
Would it have been any better if those things happened? Definitely! But mostly because it would have meant a few more games with Nate, and Phillip, and Trevor. And Dash would have returned off the Injured Reserved list.
But, hey, lots of victories. Lots of wins in tournaments. A team that played over its head for most of the year. A rousing playoff victory where the underclassmen stepped up big time. Trevor switching over to The Dark Side.
A team that seemed to like each other. Parents that seemed to like each other. A nurturing and supportive culture (do NOT underestimate how important that is).
Good times. Good volleyball. Great memories.
YouTube Playlist of Coach Hartin's wonderful tribute to the parents and player: 2022 Boys End of Year Recognition
Good outlook for next year, though we'll miss Nate, Phillip, and Trevor.
Note: "The Email" has been incorporated into the writeup for the Playoffs at Liberty Charter - 220502
Some thoughts for this year, next year and every moment
A microcosm of the season, this match.
We had one senior and two juniors on the court, sometimes one senior and one juinor. Against a Team with all Seniors and Juniors. I tried to photograph from the wall behind Mt. Carmel's side, so I could capture our faces. But I couldn't see our back row players, like, at all. Ever. Had to shoot from the side.
We had no business not getting swept.
We take Set 1.
I'm still not feeling hope. Just when do you really believe David can take down Goliath?
Mt. Carmel destroys us in the next two sets and takes a lead in the fourth.
It's loud. Some of their student fans have been obnoxious all evening, even leaving the bleachers to get in our players' faces. I'm annoyed with them for spoiling the great feel this sport almost always enjoys.
A good time to fold...
UC takes the Fourth Set. Cajones!
Hope?
It's 8-8 in the Fifth. It's loud. Back and forth. 13-13.
Tournaments are designed so that every team ends the season with a loss, except for one.
We're not that one. Fifth Set two point loss.. No shame in that. Not even a bunch of "What if?"s. We played over our heads. Tonight like many nights.
With each moment, the sting dissipates, replaced with pride. So much pride.
A worthy end to a great year.
Set 1 - UC Wins
The Deciding Set 5
(note: this site is not associated with UCHS, though it tries to maintain supportable editorial standards. Comments about the fan behavior are not endorsed by the team, coaches, or anyone besides this author)