2010 Volleyball Officially Over

What a great success this season has been.  Last night, we had our end of the season banquet at Dimond in the auditeria.  It was really nice with all of the decorated tables, decorated stage with our 2010 State Championships Logo, slide show, and catered food.  Dinner was a taco bar and was really delicious.  The coaches all went up individually, starting from the C team to the varsity level.  Which meant, I got to go first.  They even introduced Cory to go up on stage and he shook his head.  But the crowd started chanting his name, so he was forced to come up with me.  I was happy he came up.  Anyways, I had been thinking of what to say for a week before the banquet.  In the end, I wrote some notes on a note card of what I would say. I didn't want to type out a paper of everything I wanted to say because that just stresses me out.  I just wanted to wing it and let it all come out naturally.  Of course, I was nervous and I'm sure it showed.  Although, it was the better that I have done speaking in front of a large group of parents and players.  I started off with thanking the coaches, then talked about how season went and how the girls improved.  I introduced my girls up on stage and when I said their name, I gave them a little fun nickname.  I went on and presented my awards of Most Inspirational, Most Improved, and Most Valuable Player.  Then instead of talking about all of the girls and making my speech boring, I made a poem about the team.  I wrote the poem the day before the banquet and thought it would be a great idea.  Cory helped a little bit.  This is the poem

2010 C2 Volleyball Poem

By Cory and Gly Larson

The pyramid push ups, squats, and push fives are done
After working with the Larsons, you made it to number one

Hard work is what we’re all about,

Your efforts paid off with a successful season, no doubt

My roster is full with twelve talented ladies,

I love them all, but most times they drove me crazy

Alaina the court protector wearing her libero jersey

Kelsey on the right side, slamming away with no mercy

Those two were my captains, the leaders of this pack

Nadia, like a tiger, she’s mean with her attack.

Rehtaeh, she’s tall as a tree, reaching to get that big block

Haley with her beast serves, she’s tough like a rock

Oh Katelyn, she’s always energetic, sometimes hyper

Here comes Dakayla, cover your face, she hits like a sniper

Mackenzie, Mackenzie, sometimes forgets where she’s at,

Emma will confirm, “Hey, we’re in setters stack!”

Heidi out like a mongoose, hungry for that pancake

Brittany our team princess, someone kiss her, so she can finally awake

Lastly there’s the lovely Megan,

Like an explosive, she’s our little secret weapon

I will truly miss these women, they’ve come so far

I will never forget this season, you studly stars

I am very thankful to have been your coach,

Don’t worry I won’t bug you anymore about your approach

Good luck in the rest of your volleyball career

Remember, C-Team, it begins here.

I have to admit, I did forget to say two lines, which meant, I forgot to mention two of my ladies.  Nobody noticed but Heidi and Brittany.  I felt so horrible because I didn't realize it until I was off the stage.  Note to self: Point at every line you read.  I was reading the poem and looked up at the crowd, which made me lose my spot.  Now I think it is funny.  I will need more practice with this public speaking, but I am just happy I didn't do the worse out of the coaches.  The banquet lasted for about 3 hours.  It was the first time doing a banquet for me, and there was things I def learned to make next year better.  The girls gave me a gift, which was really thoughtful of them.  I didn't expect a thing.  It was a box wrapped up, with another wrapped up box in it.  It was like digging for buried treasure because I went through 6 boxes to find an awesome gift!  The girls got me a voucher for two for an overnight stay at Alyeska Resort.  I was absolutely grateful for this gift.  I know for a fact this kind of gift it pricey.  Well I have until May to use it, but if only I had a snowboard and Cory and I could use it to snowboard and stay the night out there.

I am so glad the season ended with such success.  A record of 14-0 and winning first place in all three of our tournaments.  I hope those girls take this success through out their lives.  I can't wait to see what they will become in the future.  Coaching is so rewarding, especially after hearing this from Emma Hickel, "You really changed me for the better, and I just can't say thank you enough.  Hopefully if I make it to varsity my senior year, I will owe it all to you guys! Thank you so much!  I feel like I improved so much!" I know my practices weren't easy, but I really wanted to push them so they could be amazing.  Besides improving their volleyball abilities, I wanted to boost their confidence and make them better people all around.  I am super excited for what will become of next years season and turn out.  Although, I will never forget my first season COACHING at my alma mater, Dimond.

Love,
Gly