When the Game Goes South.

     I love being there for my players. Those are my girls, my teammates, my friends. I love them all so much and I thrive on our relationship. I want so badly to see them all succeed. Today was a tough game, we took a team to four sets, and lost in a crowd-gasping heartbreaker. The twist to what sounds like just another loss was having a personal relationship with our opponent. She was a friend to a few of our girls, and an acquaintance to some others. The entire team wanted to beat her, I know we did. But for reasons unmentioned we just could not get it done. Even at two points before the final whistle I could tell the team had given up. Nothing was in our favor, from the fat, blind, old, bias referees *breathe* to our own energy on our side of the net. When the game was finally over, we were crushed. Some of the stronger members on our team were knocked down by emotion. Frustration and sadness filled to the brim of their eyes, and for some it overflowed onto their face. Deep, quick breaths- that's how I kept from crying (that and trying to make jokes with the parents), but I couldn't just ignore the others. I formed my encouraging words in my head then approached them as needed. Seeing them cry made me tear up, I fought so hard to keep it down. I needed them to be okay, I wanted to confirm in them that they had played a great game and no one could take that away from them. Some I high fived, some I caressed, some I embraced and some I simply spoke to; they all needed something different but whatever that was I had to give it to them. Being one of two seniors and the oldest on the team, it is my job, as a leader to be their rock and friend. I love those girls, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for them. You can't win them all. Sucks, doesn't it?