Well, we recently got done with a pretty big weekend with some very tiresome games. Last weekend, we hosted the NCCAA regional tournament and the winner gets a bid to go to the NCCAA Nationals in Kissimmee, Florida. Obviously, it is always a goal to make it to Christian nationals every year. From experience, we have gone the past two years and it was so much fun and is a great bonding time with the team. We have not had the best season or the best record, but to turn that around and be able to go to NCCAA nationals could change the outlook of the season.

We started off the tourney strong with a win against Nyack in four. We were really playing well and starting to click and just being really scrappy which was great to see. Being confident from the win, we were ready to play Malone next. After putting up a good fight, we ended up losing which placed us second in our pool for the day. The next day, we started off playing bright and early against Houghton. Again, we started off strong and played very well beating them and advancing us to the semifinals against Geneva. Geneva is a very good team, but we were more than capable of beating them if we played our game. We put up a fight, but we ended up falling short and lost. We were a little short on execution, but the effort was there. We were obviously out of the tournament meaning no Florida. Although this was super disappointing, the team that ended up winning the tournament and advancing to NCCAA nationals was Malone. Malone has had a great season thus far and fully deserved to get the bid, so to them I say "Congrats!"

Once the disappointment of no NCCAA nationals had passed, it was time to bounce back and prepare for our final home match against Cedarville. Although we did not have any seniors, it was still our last match on the home court for the year, so we wanted to end on a positive note. The end result, however, was just short of expected because we ended up losing. We were mentally ready to play and win, but our execution in the back row was not up to par with Cedarville's. They played a great game, and we just didn't respond back positively. This only opened our eyes and makes us realize that it is not enough to say, "we have to win", but we have to show it through our actions as well. This sparked a fire to get us ready to start the MCC Tournament. We start off playing No. 1 Taylor, and, yes, we are the No. 8 seed, but who cares. Any team can be beaten on any given day. We not only have to believe that, but we have to play like that. The game will be this Tuesday and what better way to turn this season around than right now. I fully believe that, and you can guarantee that we will not go down without a fight, and it will teach Taylor to not look past the 8th seed.

Seeing as how I already introduced all of the new members of the team, all that is left is the old folks that I have already introduced last year. This week, I am going to talk about all the returning sophomores. These troublemakers are literally like my children and usually when parents talk about their kids, it can get extensive, so I'll limit myself for your sake.

The first sophomore I will introduce is #13 middle hitter Kelly Mast. Kelly has been one of our big bad middles, and she really has stepped up well to play in such a difficult position. She has become a crucial hitter and blocker as well. Throughout the course of the season, she has improved so much from last year. She has gotten more confident and is so much more aggressive which is great to see. I really have gotten to know Kelly a lot better in the past year and she is such a genuinely caring person. She is always there ready to crack some jokes or laugh at my jokes that of course I always enjoy. I am able to talk to her about anything, and I would like to think she feels the same way about me. She is always smiling and is always optimistic, which is so nice to have on the team. She not only is a great volleyball player, but she is a phenomenal artist. She can doodle on a napkin and it looks like it should be in a museum somewhere. I have always been super jealous of her artistic abilities, and I can't wait for the day when I can buy one of her works at a gallery.

The next sophomore is #14 defensive specialist Morgan Pridemore. Morgan has acquired a new nickname, Quail, due to a plethora of feathers in her hair. Quail is one of a kind on our team. Yes, she is our main source of entertainment on the team with her comments, actions, and stories, but she has also become a major back row player for us. She has improved so much since last year, and has really moved into a key role for our defense. She only has to gain more confidence and she will improve even more. She is quick enough and good enough, and she just has to believe that because once she does, NOTHING is hitting that floor. Over this past year, we have gotten closer than two peas in a pod. She is always there to listen and she knows that I am always there no matter what. I know that we give her a lot of gripe, but she handles it so well and is such an easy-going person. She has the best heart, and always puts forth 100 percent in everything she does. Yes, she does make some funny comments or some pretty pointless stories, but that is why I love her and why she has become such a great friend.

The final sophomore is #10 anywhere hitter Kendra Votaw. I know that her sister, Erika, just joined the team, but what you didn't know is that there was already another sister on the team… me (surprise Brian and Mel!). I really have grown so close with Kendra, and I really do not know what I would do without her on this team. She has always been there to talk to and always there to rely on both on and off the court. By now, I am sure you have heard how she tore her ACL midseason, and how hard it has been for her, her family, and the team. What you may not know is how well she has been handling it, and how graceful she has been through this whole process. It is not easy sitting on the sidelines watching knowing you cannot go out to play. Volleyball has been a big part of all of our lives, and for it to be taken away for even half a season is so tough to deal with. She was a phenomenal teammate on the court, and now she has been a phenomenal teammate off the court. I really have grown so much more respect for her as a player and person, and I cannot describe the excitement that I (not her) am going to have when she comes back to play with us next season. She is the second funniest person on our team (I am first of course), and I know it is always going to be a good van ride when I see that she is in that first bench. She is such a solid all-around volleyball player and friend, and I am so lucky to be able to have another season with her.

All three of these girls are great teammates and friends, and I cannot believe that I will only have one more season with them. In one more year, I will have to kick them out of the nest!! I love all of you so much, and I am so lucky to have connected with you more than I ever thought I would have. I love you wittle Sophies so much!  Until next time, stay classy MVNU!