Advice for Players on Becoming Your Best

Life is a roller coaster not a merry-go-round. Volleyball rewards skill, aggression, consistency, and mental toughness.

Bring your best to the metaphorical battle every day. How?

1) Be positive. "You can't have a positive life with a negative attitude." Setbacks are out teachers. Edison said that he learned 999 ways NOT to make a lightbulb before succeeding.

2) Find a mentor. "Mentoring is the only shortcut to success." Your parents, coaches, and teachers are all mentors.

3) Focus on improving. When you wake, ask "how can I get better today?" That includes at home, school, and on the court. 

4) Be a great teammate. Teamwork is attitude, choice, and effort. 

5) Be coachable. As a 'volleyball scientist' be curious, open, and humble, knowing that there is always more to be learned. 

6) Engage. "How can I help?" Leave yourself better after each practice. Leave the gym better than you found it. Leave a teammate in a better place after each practice and game. 

7) Lead. Lead by example. Be the hardest worker. Communicate. Energize teammates. Never be a distraction. Everyone can lead. 

8) Represent. Know it or not, you are MVB. Represent at school, in the community, and on social media. Reputation is what others think you are and character is who you are. 

9) Mentor. Just as players like Elena, Gia, and Sadie taught you, you have a responsibility to share with your teammates. 

10) Persist. Everyone has off days. Everyone. Push through. Keep going. 

Lagniappe. Absorbing power hits.