Dec 22, 201102:18 PM

A local volleyball player digs into the South Bay’s beach scene.

Dear Santa

 

 

 

 

I’ve written my Christmas list but it’s not addressed to Santa…not exactly.  At least, I won’t be expecting to see what I’ve got on my list under the Christmas tree. Firstly, it won’t fit in Santa’s big red bag, and secondly, it takes a little more time and effort to wrap this wish up and seal it with a bow. Anyhow, I’ve folded it up nicely, tucked it inside an envelope, and hidden it in my bedroom. I’m afraid only my eyes can see the detailed contents of this list but I just can’t keep this all to myself...can you keep a secret?

 

I’ll tell you what it is: a list of names. Female volleyball players. Every person I could think of who is serious about the sport and actively pursuing it, for better or for worse. There is no order or ranking, just names I’ve jotted down one by one as they came to me.

 

Why make this list? It all started a few months ago as I was riding my bike home from work down Ocean Express (The Strand).  Seeing coach Scott Davenport idly waiting for his next scheduled trainee to arrive, I decided to stop and say hello. Maybe he will have some wise words to share about approaching the off-season, I thought. Only a few minutes had gone by in our conversation and already I could tell that he was filled with knowledge about what I should be doing and how I should be doing it. He actually made me blush by making me declare my goals for next season right then and there for anyone happening to be eavesdropping at Martha’s to hear. He had me analyze my goals backwards…For example, if I want to win a tournament by the end of the season, what does that mean I have to do in the middle of the season? At the beginning? This very moment? I thought that I had concrete goals but shit, after hearing myself talk, I started to doubt how honest and direct I have been with myself. Time to really sit down and figure out what milestones I want to cross next year. All in all, Scott had a mouthful to say about preparation, but what most impacted me that sunny afternoon was the making of “the list”.

 

Coach Scott told me to make a list of every and any volleyball player who I am or could be interested in playing with. Kerri could be on my list. “She could!?” “Well, yah, it’s your list.” Okay, okay…then what? Then, after the new year, I should start narrowing down the list to about three to five girls based upon more specific details such as location, skill level, position, and chemistry. Then, by the end of January, I should call them up and share what my personal goals are and how I’m going to go about accomplishing them, in addition to inquiring as to their aspirations (do our plans coincide?). At this point (in the future) I should be asking myself, “Who am I most compatible with?” and BAM, in comes February and I’ve narrowed it down to two or three partners. THEN, continues Scott, by the end of February/beginning of March I should drop the remaining “contenders” leaving one, amazing partner. And there you have it! The perfect recipe for finding one’s true love—er, volleyball partner. I know it will not be this easy. I know that all the planning in the world still doesn’t guarantee the results that you want, but right now, I have my list. And if Santa’s real, well then bring on the mistletoe.