Sarah Senior Year ~ Volleyball

 ** Guest Blogger **

Eric Hendrickson

Sarah's final year of volleyball... I have always loved watching her play volleyball. Stacee captured a lot of great moments throughout the season in pictures that can be seen in this blog post.

In her volleyball career, she has played all positions.  Her best position was back row, which she played as a sophomore.  Last year, she did a great job as a setter.  This year, she played front row. 

Below, the seniors this session - Dallas, Emmi, Ava, Morgan (manager), Tilly, Denton (manager), Sarah, and Coach Blehm.

This was the first time since her freshman year playing front row.  She did a fine job in front row, but it was not her best position.

Popee came to most of the games. He (and Nanee) have always been her super fans. She began playing volleyball as a 6th grader, not because she really wanted to play, but because Nanee really wanted her to give it a try. She thought Sarah would be an excellent volleyball player. Nanee was right.

When Phoebe got moved up to JV in the middle of the season, Sarah got to ride the bus with her to away games. It is one of her favorite memories from this season.

In October the freshmen, JV, and varsity teams all wore pink jerseys to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Below, the varsity team, Emmi, Emily, Dallas, Alena, Mariah, Tilly, Alexis, Sarah, Ava, and Jocelyn.

Mrs. Leeper came to a a handful of games.  She has always been a big Sarah (and Phoebe) fan.

Below, SENIOR NIGHT! All the senior volleyball players made a board to display and were recognized after the games that night.

Sarah made a nice athletic board display.  Most girls only have one sport, Sarah had three...volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Above, Sarah's favorite volleyball coach, Coach Brown. Coach Brown was her Coach freshman through Junior years. Below, some of her cheering section for Senior Night - Nicole, Stacee, Matt, Silas, Addi, Lisa, Aleigha, Ana, Sarah, Eric, Lindsee, Will, Phoebe, and Paul.

The last week of practices the team did theme dress-up days.....

The team played one game in sub-state, losing to Wichita Northeast.

The freshmen, JV, and varsity volleyball teams had an end-of-season party at Chick'n-and-a-Pickle. All the seniors usually give a speech after the dinner.  Sarah had a good little speech written out, but did not deliver the entire speech. She did not want to cry, (and she knew that her speech would make herself cry). In her original speech she mentioned Gloria, her Nanee and her decision to start playing because of her Nanee. It would have been a tearful moment for sure. Instead, she gave a shortened version and specifically thanked Coach Brown.

This was a difficult season for being a fan.  The girls did not win many games.  Sarah did not play at her best position on the court and did not get much playing time.  Stacee and I would get quite upset about it, but Sarah handled it much better than we did.  She was setting the example for us on how to deal with adversity.  It was a good life lesson that everything doesn't always go as you hoped and to make the best of the hand you were dealt.  I was very impressed with how my daughter handled the situation throughout the entirety of the volleyball season. GREAT JOB, SARAH! We love you! You played well. You are a good teammate and friend. You have many traits that make you valuable to any team you have had the opportunity to be a part of. Keep being the competitive, kind, smiling, athletic, smart player and leader that you are.