Volleyball Diary: April McCamey recaps the first weekend from a player's perspective

By April McCamey
LETU Volleyball

The first weekend of our 2011 season turned out to be a big learning experience for each of our 12 team members. (I say 12 because there are 10 players and 2 coaches.) Throughout the week leading up to our first tournament you could see the energy and passion for the game of volleyball erupting in all of our thoughts and actions both on and off the court.

The first tournament or game of any season and any sport always proves to be an eventful and meaningful one. So much preparation is put into what seems to be that pivotal moment when you finally go head-to-head with an opponent. As you put on your uniform, your game socks, and your bright white knee pads (previously unworn) there is but one thing that goes through your head... "Let's do this."

Seven of us would finally get our first taste of Division III college volleyball. Match one (vs. Central Baptist) was a hard fought battle, three of the games being won or lost by only two points. Every single match proved to be not only a learning experience, but also a test of heart and determination.

Match three took place on Day Two of the tournament and was against ASC East Division team UT Tyler. They were very athletic, but shared the challenge with us of youth as a team. Each game in the match was an improvement as we shook off nervousness and some fatigue from Day One. Game 3 proved to be much improved over game one as we almost doubled in points scored.

Match four was the true test of resilience, as we faced the team that had previously beaten UT-Tyler immediately after we lost to Tyler. We showed true heart as no ball hit the floor without someone hitting the floor with it.

To conclude the weekend, some may look at our record and say that we came home winless. Honestly, with our much improved and "clicking" offense, the volleyball intelligence that comes with experience, and relationships formed both on and off the court that are vital to a volleyball team's chemistry, we came home without losing.

April McCamey is a senior at LeTourneau University. She is in her first season as a volleyball player for the YellowJackets.