So, I got roped into watching my niece’s 8th-grade volleyball game the other day. Let me tell you, it was quite the experience.
First off, I showed up at the school gym, you know, the one with the squeaky floors and that weird echo? Yeah, that one. I found a spot in the bleachers, not too close, not too far. Just right. I tried to look like I knew what I was doing, but honestly, I haven’t been to a volleyball game since, like, forever.
The Warm-Up
- The girls started with some warm-up drills. Lots of running, jumping, and those weird arm circles.
- They practiced their serves, some were pretty good, some…not so much.
- I tried to follow along, but man, those volleyball terms are confusing! “Ace,” “dig,” “kill”…what does it all mean?
Game Time
Then the game started. It was a back-and-forth kind of thing. One team would score, then the other. My niece’s team was pretty good, they were really hustling out there. I found myself getting into it, cheering and clapping like a crazy person. There were some intense moments, let me tell ya. Long rallies, close calls, and a few questionable referee decisions, of course.
The other team was tough, though. They had some serious hitters. It was a close game, all the way to the end. I ended up yelling some encouraging things like “Get it!” or “Hit it!” at the end. And some other stuff like “Go, girls!” you know, all the normal stuff you say at these things. Even I joined the other parents and gave all kinds of cheers.
The Result
In the end, my niece’s team lost by just a couple of points. Bummer, right? But they played their hearts out, and that’s what matters. I gave my niece a high five after the game and told her she did great. She just shrugged and said, “It’s just a game, Uncle.” Kids these days, I tell ya. I spent a whole afternoon there for “just a game”, but who cares? She’s still my favorite niece. Then I took some pictures for her, and uploaded them to social media.
So yeah, that was my adventure at the 8th-grade volleyball game. Not exactly how I planned to spend my Saturday, but hey, it was fun. And I learned a thing or two about volleyball. Maybe I’ll even go to another game sometime. Or maybe not. We’ll see. At least I made some good memories. Then I drove back home, and took a nap after that.
