Hi everyone! Super stoked to say I think my fan base went from 2 to 6. Big moves. Will come up with nicknames for you guys soon.

 

This past weekend our volleyball team traveled to Columbus to play sand volleyball with Ohio State. Around 1 o'clock in the afternoon we arrived at Flannagan's. It was a cloudy day with a 70 degree temperature out. But then it rained. So we played inside. We all warmed up for about an hour. We were playing doubles so I was partnered up with Ambre. I know what you're thinking: A power team. We were stacked. Both injured. Both incompetent. Both not willing to dive in the sand but ended up breaking that promise to ourselves multiple times. 

 

We played an OSU team first. Firstly, we didn't lose as bad as you would think. Secondly, if you thought we had a chance, this isn't a movie where I can make an underdog team come out on top. Ambre and I are both around 5'10" and if you don't think there was a 6'5" girl on the other side who could hit the ball straight down in the sand without jumping you're kidding yourself. But we managed to lose 21-16. NOT BAD. We are injured. It's our first time playing in the sand this year. Despite losing, I felt good. And not just because every ball hit by the tall girl was directed at Ambre. But it was fun, it helped that we weren't super serious about the tournament. We were there for fun. And because it was mandatory. 

 

Don't get me wrong, we won some games. But we were realistic. Hey, if the other team tips it, they get the point. I don't make the rules. I just know I'm not running up and diving in sand just to tear something else in my knee and not get the ball up. Realistic. 

 

We played a CSU team next, where we won 21-5. That was our highlight. Never had more confidence than I did then. But I lost it because the next team we played, we lost with basically the same score. But they tipped on us. And we were not going for those. Too risky. 

 

While other teams across the net strategized, Ambre and I decided to practice our non-communcation skills where we would guess who would take each ball and high five each other in the end. It's ok we got aced without making a move. A learning experience. 

 

In total honesty, I moved a lot faster than I remembered moving in the sand. Maybe because this sand didn't have sticks in it. I jumped higher than I expected. Not high, NOT high guys. But enough where the net didn't block me. And that counts for something in my book.

 

It was a nice change of pace. Sand is strategic and a real workout. It's soft, and gives a fresh perspective to volleyball. I felt better in the sand. I felt more in control and wasn't afraid to move like I am sometimes on the court. The worst part about sand? The sand. When you sweat, or even if you don't, it gets EVERYWHERE. Stuck to my shins, hands, arms. It was under my shirt. In my spandex. Let me be clear, I didn't take off my spandex. There was no opening for sand to get there. It just magically appeared.

 

Now I know you want to see me in the sand so here is the shortest clip of Ambre and I playing:

 

 

 

I know this wasn't a long post. And probably didn't give much of a story. I probably wasted your time. But at least you got a day's worth of sarcasm in. 

 

I'm just trying to update the blog. So really, you're welcome. 

 

If anyone wants to play sand this summer hit me up,

SS