I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. I still have a team playing for a sectional championship game in the next couple of days. And as my stomach does yet another roll in anticipation of what I know will be an emotional roller-coaster of a night, I give pause to consider my girls and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of their sport, their school, and yes...their coach. When I think back to the "dog-days" of the season; the sweltering gym conditions that only August can bring, I recognize why our kids play. When I remember the early season tournaments that they played on the weekends instead of spending time with their friends, I realize why they come back year after year. And when I look at their battered and bruised bodies, I know what makes them compete. They do it all for the love of the game!

During semi-finals, for the first time in my carreer, I watched our opponents instead of my team as our twenty-fifth point found its way to the court, and I saw with absolute clarity the finality of sectionals. The outpouring of emotion that I saw should remind us all that only one team per class wins its last match but many more have seasons they should be proud of!

So I want to thank all of the girls from every team for everything you have given this year. And best of luck to those of you still trying to win that one last game!

Welcome to the Cult of volleyball! Best of luck!

It couldn't have been said any better.