Page 77 of Brick Wall
“It’s great,” I admit to my mom. “How’s Michigan with your girls?”
“Girl,” she confirms. “Scarlett got sick and canceled at the last minute. I’m having fun with Olivia, though.”
We chat some more but then hang up a few minutes later. I head back to the crazy living room for some more fun and games, but really, I just want to go home and have some fun and games with Annie instead.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Annie
It’s the first Sunday in December, and I’m pacing back and forth in my small office. If I weren’t alone right now, I would drive someone crazy. In less than one hour, at exactly six p.m., the selection show will broadcast live on a sports network.
The selection show is the release of the NCAA’s D1 Women’s Volleyball tournament bracket and all sixty-four teams who will play in the tournament this month.
Last season, we qualified for the first time in several years, but we lost in the first round to Tennessee. This year, we are a much stronger team with a better record. We will qualify; it just depends on where the committee decides to place us in the bracket.
I’d like to be at home watching this by myself in a dark room, or even better, at home curled into Sebastian for support.
However, I am at work, and Sebastian is also at work, playing an away game a few states away. I need to head down thehallway soon to a meeting room in the athletic complex where my team, fellow coaches, and some athletic staff will all watch the selection show together.
We also have a film crew here to record our reactions when they declare our bracket. It’s a little nerve-racking, but my players are all excited. I also can hide behind my girls, as they will be front and center on the camera, right where they deserve to be.
The tournament starts in four days, and I only have a few days to prepare for whoever we are facing.
I look at my watch and realize it’s time for me to face my team first. Let’s go see where we fall.
The conference room in the athletic center is all abuzz. My girls are excitedly watching the selection show while also trying to guess who we play. They are all wearing their mandated maroon and gold tracksuits but are also all wearing matching smiles too.
We played our best season in our college’s history, and now it’s up to the committee.
“Ready?” a man next to the cameraman says to the room after listening in his earpiece. We will be announced next as jitters and anticipation swirl heavily in the air.
We are all ears on the big screen in front of us when the female commentator announces Chestnut Hill University, and our name appears on the screen.
“Chestnut Hill University will appear in the tournament for their second-straight year after a twenty-year drought. CHU is on a seven-game winning streak led by center Kara Degani and defensive star Morgan Fisher.”
My players stand up out of their seats and cheer as the camera lands on them for seven seconds before switchingback to our opponent.
“Chestnut Hill University will be facing Delaware State, their third appearance in the tournament to date. Delaware State upset first place Howard on an eight-game winning streak, after a rough start of the season…” the female commentator states, and my brain already starts to make a mental checklist.
My girls are still standing with excitement in the air. We have not faced Delaware State this season, but I’m familiar with them. I need to be.
“Did you hear my name, Coach?!” Morgan, my shortest player, says while jumping up and down in place with her hands in her sweatshirt pocket.
“Sure did.” I smile at her excitement. “Well deserved too.” My libero Morgan is the best defensive player in our conference, and I’m excited she’s getting well-deserved attention.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” I say with a smile and a mandatory coach eye roll.
“What did you say, Coach? Let all the fame go to my head? I can do that.” She then quickly jumps back to celebrate with her teammates, her dark hair ponytail dancing alongside her.
“Ready for Pennsylvania?” Adam, our Associate Director, asks as he approaches me toward the back of the conference room.
Although we are playing Delaware State, we will play our first (hopefully two) games in P.A. for the first and second rounds.
“Yup.” I politely nod back. I’m overwhelmed frankly and want to get back to my office to work on a game plan.
I also can’t wait to call Sebastian and tell him all about it.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
