Now onto the rest..
A couple months ago, I saw a post for a clinic to learn how to play sitting volleyball. I didn't sign up right away because my shoulder was still angry and I was about to go to the neurologist, so I waited until after the appointment when I decided all bets are off.... I'm going to play or do whatever I want until the doctors decide to do something for me.
The clinic was hosted by the Riekes Center and Northern California Volleyball Association. They provided us with shirts (dually serving as an effective marketing tool as the clinic was videoed and photographed for the center), water bottles, and stickers. And also invited Paralympic athlete Katie Holloway, along with other coaches and professionals, to teach us.
The NCVA brought a group of their volleyball players to learn the different way to play and to fill out our numbers. At first, I was the only participant in a wheelchair (we got another person later), so I was the focus of the coaches before we got started; asking what I could and could not do, and what I was willing to try, and what worked and what didn't. I preferred to be in my chair when not required to be on the floor, but I wanted to participate as much as possible. Katie warned me I would probably be sore at the end of the day, and promised to let me know when I needed to be on the floor.
We started with the rule differences, then drills. First was moving forward then backward across the court by pushing with the arms and legs (or whatever worked), which is when I decided to take off my left shoe so I could drag that leg around easier. Next, we moved side to side, which is when I realized this was going to be a crazy workout for the next two hours. After we got the movement down, we paired off to start learning how to hit the ball. I partnered with a gentleman whom I believe is a physical therapy intern. We practiced the basics, then went on the move... hit up close, then move back to hit from far, then back; it was a lesson in keeping your hands on the floor in between hitting the ball in order to be ready to move when needed. We then partnered with someone on the other side of the net to try to get a volley going, then learning how to serve. I was never any good at serving.. and that hasn't changed, although I will say I was a little better from a sitting position, but that's not saying much. Katie and two of the other coaches helped to the point I could get it over the net and even keep it in the court, so I'm calling that good. I just hope to do it consistently one day. After a break, a setter sat by the net to hit the ball up for us to hit over the net; my first round, I sat by the net to hit, then for the next few I tried hitting on the move and did mostly okay.
When it was confirmed we survived all of that, they counted us off into two teams so we could play a game, or two. It was really great to put everything together and the girls from NCVA were really supportive. We even got to come up with a name for our team; mine was Butts Not Up (first thing we were taught was your butt must be on the floor to hit/block the ball.. when refs make that call, they look like they're doing the alligator dance). After each rally, we yelled out our cheer of "BNU" and clapped or hit the floor. It was a whole new game from the floor, but a lot of fun... and I think it was a great choice in my second team sport. Both games came down to the wire, but my team lost both.. and everyone on the teams proved their integrity once again as we went down the line to shake the other team's hands; I was still sliding along the floor because Saber was on the other side of the court and they made sure to reach all the way over the net so I could easily reach them.
The coach for each team chose their MVP and gave them a present, then Katie named the Most Spirited and the one that got the most Butt Up calls, and gave them presents as well.... then we got a big group picture. Our host from the Riekes Center then announced that their usual Saturday barbecuers were making extra to include us as well... and they gave Katie a Sharpie to sign our shirts if we wanted. Katie also announced that she had her medals for us to see and that she could use some help training if we wanted to come back on an upcoming Saturday. I hung back and ended up holding the medals for a while and also got to talk to Katie for a bit. She said I did pretty good and told me I looked pretty athletic... I told her I was having a lot of fun trying out new sports and this had been only my second team sport so far, which triggered my list of the things I do and have tried recently. After she signed my shirt, someone with a camera insisted we take a picture together (I'm hoping someone posts all the pictures soon so I can share!). I headed out to the barbecue to eat and talk with the girls I had just played with, who expressed how tired they were after all that. One thought she had made a mistake (marked by the side glance my way) by saying something about only using the upper body, but I smiled and agreed with her. I thanked the girls for playing with me, then talked to Katie one more time on my way out and promised to come train with her when I can.
I had to take an anti-inflammatory that morning and I made sure to wear my hip brace so I did pretty well sitting on the floor for the clinic. However, I held no fantasies that I wouldn't be sore later, especially with Katie's warnings. I was surprisingly fine.... until I sat on the floor later at home and "what the hell?!?!?!" I didn't even know that could hurt! I wasn't surprised by my arms, shoulders, and upper back. I waaaaaaaas surprised by the sides of my lower back, across the top/back of my hips, aaaaaaaaaand my gluteus hurt in a way I have never experienced. Not a horrible pain, just different. That was when I decided have no ass.. no padding to protect me.
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