Champions. . . with or without the banner

I can not express the full emotions and feelings that I am going through as I think back on the past season. I started this volleyball season a little apprehensive, unsure of how this new coaching thing would go. :) There were times that I would have much rather been on the court-- it is so much easier sometimes to just do something yourself and not have to explain where someone should be or what they should have done differently.

I definitely gained a new respect for coaches and what they have to deal with! :) I was nervous before each game, just like I was when I was a player. I don't know why... no one looks at the assistant coach and notices when they make mistakes-- it's not quite as obvious as when a player makes a mistake on the court. But I wanted the girls to do well soooo bad! I knew how much and how hard they practiced each week!
It was so encouraging when the girls would do something that Coach or I would tell them... and to see it work!! Now isn't that something! :)

Another aspect I had to learn how to deal with was "coaching" my peers. Since I had played with the seniors of this year (and Erin!), it was hard to know when I should tell them something and when I should just keep my mouth shut. I knew these girls knew as much and more than I know about volleyball, so it was interesting... I definitely learned more from them than they did from me- thanks, seniors! :)

My freshman year was the only year I went to nationals. And it was only because we got the at-large bid. I don't think I quite comprehended what was going on. :) But this year was so exciting!!!
We made goals at the beginning of the season--
1.) To be in the top 4 in the NAC 2.) To win Regionals 3.) To win Nationals.
It was so thrilling to see the girls reach these goals. To be number 4 in the NAC in our last year of being in the conference was awesome. And... beating Lincoln in the championship at Regionals was amazing! The emotions of that game (it went to five games and we were behind 6-0 in the fifth set...) were crazy!

So the girls earned their way to nationals-- number 2 in the NCCAA DII behind Clearwater.
I can't write about each game, but it was so fun to keep winning and to beat Lincoln again to get to the semi-finals-- and to beat Kentucky to play in the Championship!
The final game was a tough one to lose against Clearwater, but the girls didn't just hand the game over. They fought hard and though the outcome wasn't necessarily what we wanted, I believe that the Lord was honored and glorified in the way we played and acted.
That was our goal as well this season: "For You alone are worthy, Lord, of my whole-hearted praise! So may this life bring you glory always."

And that should be our goal in life-- no matter if we win or lose, in easy times or in hard times-- we need to strive to glorify God in everything that we do. Because He alone deserves the glory.