Page 4 of Blocking Her Love

“It evens the playing field, so to speak.” I enjoy teaching others about the sport but try not to sound too much like I’m lecturing. “This way they can control the depth and uniformity of the sand. And the sand has to be the right size and shape for a safe playing surface. Have you ever noticed how the sand doesn’t really stick to the players? That’s because of the size of the grains. I can’t tell you the scientific reasons, but there you go.”

“Hmm, guess that makes sense. I’ve got to get busy. We all have things to do this morning, so get in a good practice. See you at lunch.”

“She’s nice,” Ellie says and hefts the carry straps of the ball bag to her shoulder. “Let’s get going.”

Maya and I follow Ellie at a more leisurely pace. The woman is gung ho to start training. You’d think it’s been more than just a couple of days since the last time she had her hands on a volleyball. I can’t complain. Most of the time it’s easier to coach someone who’s focused on the end result. Other times, whenthat athlete is hyper focused they need to be brought back to the real world.

Skill, training, and determination are essential. But so is balance. Right now Ellie is on a path that’s becoming too narrow. All work and no play doesn’t really make someone dull like the old saying goes. That intensity can however turn the athlete into little more than a rigid, performing, winning machine.

Ellie is so much more than that even if she doesn’t believe it.

“So, baby sis, how are you feeling about the tournament?”

She takes long enough to answer, I touch her arm and we stop walking. “Maya, what’s up?”

With a sigh, she shrugs. “Just not feeling it today. Whatever ‘it’ is. Ellie is so focused on making the Olympic team she’s changed somehow.”

“Great minds and all that. I was just thinking the same thing. She doesn’t have a proper work-life balance.”

“Balance? Maybe that’s it. I feel out of balance, too. Maybe. I don’t know. So what do we do about it, big bro?”

“Hey, come on you guys,” Ellie shouts from further out on the beach. “Sand’s waiting for us.”

“Be right there.” I wave and she nods then opens the bag and dumps the balls on the sand. Turning back to Maya, I say, “I’m going to keep our workout and training simple today. Some of the more fun stuff.”

She finally gives me a smile. “Fun stuff? You think there’s fun stuff in training?”

“If it isn’t already, we can make it so. Then, we’re going out dancing tonight.”

“Sean, I don’t?—”

“Coach’s orders. Pretty sure your teammate is going to balk at the idea as well, so you’ll have to help me convince her.”

Maya chuckles. “The only thing that might work is if you can somehow make it sound like training. Or… how about this? Dancing will help our endurance.”

“Brilliant.” We continue toward the beach. “Endurance and conditioning are the key words for today.”

When we reach Ellie, she’s marked out a half court sized square by drawing in the sand with her foot and lined the balls up along one side. She’s setting us up for either serving or passing practice. Maya glances at me then goes to stand beside her partner.

Ellie brushes sand from her hands. “Okay, Coach. What’s first?”

That’s easy. “Stretches. Then aerobics.” I set the cooler I’d brought from the truck on the sand and open it, grab two bottles of water and toss them to my team. “Hydrate. You know the routine. Get started.”

Looking ready to argue, Ellie uncaps her bottle and takes a long drink. Then her shoulders relax and she sets her water down and begins the choreographed stretch routine she’s used since college. As much as she wanted to get right into actual game time practice, she knows it’s dangerous without a proper warm up.

With upbeat music playing from my portable speaker, I join them for a stretching routine of my own. They aren’t the only ones who get a workout during practice.

I watch Ellie as she stretches, telling myself I need to make sure she’s not over extending or positioning herself in a manner that could cause injury. Each time my gaze travels to her, she’s watching me. Then her focus skitters away leaving me feeling strangely cold and disappointed.

The music slowly speeds up pushing us toward some aerobic arm swings and sand scattering kicks. My sister laughs and dances freely in a tight circle while Ellie’s expression issomber and determined, her movements more planned than spontaneous. She needs to relax.

Going out tonight is definitely a good idea.

four

Ellie

Even though Iknow it’s important to warm up, to stretch before a practice, today it feels like Sean is keeping us in this phase of training longer than necessary. I’ve marked out our practice space. The balls are lined up ready for either serving or passing practice—both of which are what we as a team need to keep working on. Improving on. So why won’t he just get on with the practice?

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