Student-athletes are role models. What you think, do, and say matter.
The 'win-loss' record matters, but it's not the whole picture. Advocating for women's empowerment comes with the territory.
Always Do Your Best (the Fourth Agreement)
Every serve, attack, or dig won't be perfect in practice or in competition, whether it's high school or the Olympics.
On day one, Coach Ellis Lane laid out the priorities:
- Family
- Academics
- Basketball
As seniors, Karen and Paula (a.k.a. KP) had some sports success. And all six seniors on the basketball team made the Honor Roll. "How you do anything is how you do everything."
Take Care of Your Body
Lauren Fleshman, former NCAA and Nike runner, wrote "Good for a Girl," an important book for athletes and coaches. Girls are not boys with a different chromosome. She pushes for self-care for women athletes and truth-telling.
Prioritize enough sleep. Student-athletes should get a minimum of eight hours of sleep.
Eat right. Teens don't control everything in their diet. Adequate protein intake (1 - 1.5 grams/kilogram) is a target. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Hydration. "Dehydration" (volume depletion) shows up first as fatigue before thirst. Make the water bottle your companion and use it.
Recovery. After practice or competition, develop a recovery routine. That could include a thermal contrast shower, foam rolling, as well as hydration and diet.
Lead
Upperclassmen set the tone. Find opportunities to lead and track them. In your journal, express your private thoughts and how you responded to leadership opportunities.
Leaders control what they can control. There's an old saying that "you can't fool dogs, kids, and volleyball players." Everyone can lead though focus, hard work, and never being a distraction.
Be seen and heard.
Lagniappe. High contact point and trunk rotation both are important attack elements. When competition starts, focus on the game, not technical aspects. The great golfer or hitter can't think about their swing "in the box."
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