NCWVBC

I don't know if you knew this, but Jen coaches club volleyball out here in Washington. And she's really good at it. I know I might be coming off as an overproud husband, but everybody says she's a really good coach--even other really good coaches. It's amazing to see the improvement that her team has made from the beginning of the season to now. You can really see how much her team is learning and how much they're knowledge of volleyball is growing. As a teacher, I must say, I'm a little jealous. She could probably teach me a few things about teaching, from what I've seen.

In the process of being dragged to places like Kennewick and Yakima and Spokane, I've learned that there's nothing quite as shrill as a gym full of 50 excited teenage girls... and their parents... and refs with whistles. In fact, typically, I leave tournaments with a slight headache. :) And when I try to read in between matches, there's always the chance of getting pelted with a stray volleyball by teams warming up for the next match. And there are some 16-year-old girls who can hit the hell out of the ball. At least Kennewick, Yakima, and Spokane have Olive Gardens and Red Lobsters, neither of which we have here in Wenatchee. (My treat for getting dragged all across eastern Washington is usually some sort of seafood alfredo and, of course, time with Jen. And wine; we can't forget the wine.)

All that aside, it's fun to watch her team, especially when they're doing well. Today, just so happens to be one of those days. There's a tournament here in town, and her team has won its first two games so far. They're taking a break before they finish up their pool and begin bracket play this afternoon.

Between you and me, I get a little excited when the games are close and frustrated when her team loses a match they should've won. Just don't tell anyone I said that. :)