Remembering...

I called her "Feet"...I don't think anyone else ever did.  Her footwork was always perfect, she was a machine.  It had been trained into her to approach and transition a certain way, and she always did it correctly, always.  "Nice feet..." soon became "Feet".  It wasn't the best nick-name, but for me it stuck...

I am amazed at all the memories I have had in the last 24 hours...

There are certain things in life I don't think you could ever be prepared for...this was certainly one of them...hearing that a former player's life had ended too soon and under such circumstances, really makes you think about, well, everything.  I guess losing a player was something I always feared; I certainly never thought it would happen this early.  

For the most part my team was already picked...I was excited.  "Feet" was really the last person between my team and the Top team that needed a spot.  I was told that if I wanted her, she would be on my team.  I watched her play in one high school game and that was it, I was sold.  Not only was she an incredible athlete, but she was good, and she was a lot of fun to watch.  

I remember telling her before Nationals how proud of her I was.  I had asked her to focus on her ball control, specifically in serve receive, because we would probably need her to pass more than she had in the past.  You could tell she was focused on it, she worked really hard...I thought she improved a lot in a very short time.  I was glad she was on my team.

I remember talking to her about going to college and how excited she was that she got in to her top choice...

She always went for the kill...swinging down the line, even if it was the other team's match point, she went for it.

It seemed like she was always happy playing volleyball.  Smiling big when we would score, excited for her teammates all the time...everyone enjoyed being around her...she had fun,was happy and smiled always...that is what I will remember.

I will continuously pray for her family and friends, my heart goes out to them all.  I am thankful for the opportunity I had to coach her for those 8 months, and I am sure that her other coaches feel the same way.  She was a tremendous athlete that always worked hard for her team.  But more than just an athlete...it was the person behind the athlete that everyone enjoyed being around...I think she impacted the life of everyone she met.  It was a pleasure...

"Feet"...you will be missed.