"The Court Is 900 Square Feet of Honesty"

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. 

Some teams sprinkle young talent amidst experience. MVB 25 had an abundance of young talent complementing less experience after MVB 24 graduated nine seniors. 

When the season history is written, what ballads will bards sing? 

There's a story about a child waking up on Christmas...hoping for a wonderful gift. Nothing is under the tree. He looks in the backyard and sees a large pile of horse manure. He grabs a shovel and digs furiously. "I know there's a pony in there somewhere." 

We control our perception. This season MVB built something, a foundation, not built of straw or sticks, but bricks. Continue the job with framing, roofing, and interior finishing. 

If you didn't play as much as you want this season, "what's the next step?" 

• Ask yourself, "what are my strengths and needs?"
• Ask the coaches, "how can I earn more playing time?" 
• Persevere. Be in it for the long haul. 
• Do the work - build skill, game understanding, physicality, and resilience. 
• It's your choice. 

Every season MVB needs to replace production from graduating seniors. The opportunity is there. You're not going to replace Sabine's 369 kills...a new season will bring distribution of sets for others. If you want the MH job, look in the mirror daily saying, "That is my job." Then do what it takes. 

You're tired of hearing it, positive points arise from serves, block-kills, and attacks. You have to beat strong teams because they will not beat themselves - that's why they're good. MVB 25 did not "go soft" in the playoffs...just didn't make enough plays. 

Practice serving to seams, at weak defenders, short, and sidelines. 

Read plays better, anticipating where and how the attack is coming.

Improve your blocking technique, especially at the pins (outside). 

Develop your vertical jump, lateral quickness, and strength to finish the block. 

Work on your craft. Perfect your attack footwork. No exceptional attackers have mediocre technique. Learn to get on top of the ball, getting topspin, to hit down the lines, and cut shots. Fill up your offensive toolbox. 

Lagniappe. Volleyball offers a metaphorical and analogical ocean of truths. ChatGPT Plus helps. Let's get started. 

Team and Trust Analogies

The Net as Boundary and Bridge

• The net separates, but also connects — every rally is a conversation across it.

• A low net makes bad teams look better; a high net reveals preparation and truth.

• “The net doesn’t lie” — your choices, technique, and temperament are always on display.

The Court as a Mirror

• The court reflects how a team communicates under pressure.

• “The court is 900 square feet of honesty.”

• Every rotation tells a story — where you hide weaknesses, where you show trust.

The Team as Orchestra

• The setter is the conductor, the libero the metronome, the hitter the soloist.

• Success depends on listening, timing, and knowing when to play soft or loud.

• One wrong note doesn’t ruin the song — but ignoring the rhythm will.

Ubuntu on the Floor

• The six are one body: a dig is a heartbeat, a set a breath, a kill the exhale.

• “If the floor doesn’t feel connected, the team isn’t either.”

Lagniappe 2. You don't need a gym to practice footwork.