Selby Lane Volleyball Coach (part 2)

Mackenzie Duffner

November 2, 2014

Redwood City Parks and Rec

Erin Nemir 

I coached these girls from the end of September to the beginning of November. We practices two or three times a week for an hour and had one or two games. The Selby Lane volleyball program usually get crushed in the little Redwood City league. But this year they qualified for the championship tournament, a feat which there program had never accomplished. Though we took 4th the girls were so excited just to make it that far. Everyday they came in a dig their warm ups and then started in with the drills. We practiced serving, passing, hitting, and setting. We were always doing something and the girls ate up every piece of instruction. The ones who did not get it as fast would be helped by the other girls or me. It really showed me how beneficial outreach programs like these are. These girls are in middle school, a vital time for the shaping of a young girl. If they can be convinced of how much they can accomplish and how talented they are they can achieve such amazing things and go on to great lives. Their work ethic and sense of community was astounding. Little Mariana, a girl who really affected me, started as one of the weakest. But she would come in early and do passing drills with me. She was a ball of energy, sometimes a little sassy, but always so excited. The first game we won the girls worked so hard. They cheered from the bench and focused to make almost every serve. When we won it was so rewarding to she the pride and excitement on their faces which is why I plan to coach another Selby Lane team next year. 

Selby Lane Volleyball Coach (part 1)

Mackenzie Duffner

September 20, 2014 at 4:00pm

Redwood City Parks and Rec

Erin Nemir (650) 392-7602

I used my PACT opportunity to coach a 7th grade girls volleyball team for Selby Lane. Everyone of the kids at Selby Lane is eligible for free lunch. Redwood City Parks and Rec strives to provide kids from all backgrounds a chance to learn life skills in a sports or outdoor activity. On my first day I was walking into Red Morton Community center trying to figure out how I would get 12 year old girls to respect me. Girls started trickling in wearing flats and uggs and no knee pads. I realized these girls might not have the equipment because unlike so many of us their parents cannot spare the $15 of knee pads that will only be used for a few months. I knew at that point I would have to begin at the very beginning. The girls came in exhibiting a mixture of anticipation and fear. Once I called everyone around me they all stopped talking and looked at me. It was humbling knowing that they already respected me. None of them had played but they all wanted to learn so bad. They glowed with pride when I praised them. I realized in these first couple of practices that they wanted so badly to be good and to be worthy of praise and they just needed the opportunity. I remember doing a passing drill where all the girls were in a straight line and I would throw the ball at the first girl then she would shag her ball and get back in line. Mariana for the life of her could not seem to get behind the ball. Eventually I gave her a nice easy slow pass and she got right behind it and hit it with all she could. I praised her and the girls clapped and screamed. Mariana blushed but was so delighted by this and she continued to be one of the hardest workers. These 12 year old girls were so brave because they came from poor families having no knowledge of the sport or the right equipment but still dedicated themselves to learning.