Beach volleyball!
I played some beach volleyball tonight! It felt so good, it's been so long! It's a city league that plays Friday evenings - 30 minute games, and unfortunately not actually on the beach, but some nice lit sand courts in town. We're Division 2 (of 3) so that puts us in a nice level of people playing for fun, and with enough skill for it to actually be fun.
First I played doubles with my friend Hugo, and it was absolutely treacherous as I worked out the kinks and cobwebs. My first serve was an embarassingly feeble flop-ball that didn't even make it to the net. My hands were cement blocks when I tried to set the ball. My "spikes" were the most un-spikey things you've ever seen. My dives were fruitless, resulting only in a nice full sugar-coating of sand and occasionally a nod from by-standers for my enthusiasm and determination. Passing and digging... actually still in pretty good shape. I was rather pleased to show that there was some evidence of volleyball in days past. But needless to say, we lost that game pretty spectacularly.
I played again after that, in 4-a-side. It was Hugo and me again with my roommate Crystal, who was equally excited to get back to some volleyball after several years of not playing. Our 4th couldn't make it tonight, so Crystal's boyfriend jumped in, never having played before! It was a bit of a messy game, but we had some good rallies, and by then, I was feeling much better about my game, so it was still rewarding. But I must say, I think I enjoy doubles far more. At least at this level. Four mediocre people on one court is 2 too many. Too much confusion and running into eachother, or letting balls fall between 2 people. But we had a GREAT time, and joked afterward about how we burned more energy laughing for 30 minutes straight than we did playing volleyball. It was great fun.
It felt so good to play again, I had so much fun! And the game fee comes with free BBQ and a dip in the pool afterward! Not bad. I can feel the game coming back to me, and it's really exciting! We play again in two weeks, as nobody in Australia does anything on Good Friday. Should be a good time!
Posted by Whitney 03/14/2008