I Believe In You
Sparkle With Leadership
Coach Tillman looked at up at the rafters and took a deep breath before addressing the volleyball team. Her whistle hung around her neck, like it always did, but her black hair seemed to weigh down her slouched shoulders. Concern clouded her face as she searched for hope in the girls’ eyes.
“The last time Fields High School won the state championship was in 1994. This year, many of you are out of shape, uninterested, or just playing because of your parents expect you to.” A look of worry flickered across her face. “If we don’t win this year, they’re going to cut the program and put the funds elsewhere.”
She turned to a young freshman and said, “We need you Grace. You have the talent and passion to lead this team. Are you up for the challenge?”
Grace’s eyes grew large and her mouth began to open. Nothing came out. She just blinked and wondered, Did she just ask me to be the captain of the Varsity team? Grace’s eyes grew large and her mouth began to open, but nothing came out. She just blinked.
Coach Tillman laughed and answered as if she read her mind, “Yes, Grace, I am asking you if you are willing to be the captain.”
Grace looked around the locker room before answering. Some eyes glared, others were dull, but she didn’t see anyone with a glint of desire. That was her cue. “Yes, coach. If you need me, I’ll do my best!”
It was no secret that Grace had talent. She auditioned for the JV team along with her classmates but was added to the varsity roster without a tryout. Her resume was as impressive as her love of the game. She played volleyball since age six, when she joined a recreational league. Her parents watched her skill develop and invested in training clinics. She helped her middle school team win three championships, but winning came with a price: practicing all summer.
Even when Grace was exhausted by the extra workouts, her dad spurred her on. “C’mon, Gracie! You know that practice only makes you better and stronger!” His encouraging voice and proud smile fueled her competitive spirit. Together they built her confidence, and it showed.
It also helped that she was 5’8” and often one the of the tallest girls on the court. Her dad made sure they practiced for hours in the summer, even when she felt exhausted. He reminded, “practice only makes you better and stronger.”
She was right. she was better and stronger, but was she a leader?
As the team made their way out to the court for practice, Coach Tillman draped her arm around Grace with the first smile anyone saw that day, “Hey, I know you might think you’re too young, but believe me—just the spunk in you could light a fire!”
She grinned back, “Don’t you mean spark?”
“Awwww . . . you! Watch that quick wit! Now get out there and start warming up, Captain!”
Grace pulled her 5’8” frame as tall as she could and walked to the middle of the court. She heard whispers as she passed: “How old is she? Can she even play at a varsity level? Her parents probably paid for her to get on the team. She’s never played Junior Varsity before—she has no idea what she’s in for.” She tightened her resolve and began to stretch.
Chloe pulled away from the huddles and said loud enough for everyone in the gym to hear, “Coach, I’m not playing under a ninth-grade captain. I’m a senior and have played for three years and worked hard to stand out. I’m not going to stay, and I’m sure others aren’t either.” She gave a defiant toss of her ponytail and snapped her head in Grace’s direction. “If she leads, I’m out!”
The coach knew she would be the first to voice a complaint. “Chloe, I understand your concerns. It’s a big move, but Grace brings experience and has great leadership ability. I’m not changing my mind.” Chloe put her hands on her hips and marched out of the gym.
She was a good player but lacked character and wasn’t committed to being a team player. She needed to lead the game herself or stand out with a fresh, risky move. The basics bored her, and the only consistency she had was pushing for a new direction.
Grace tried to focus on preparing for practice, but her mind raced in circles. If only she had known! I’m not a good leader. At least I don’t think I am. Am I, God? She wouldn’t have left if she knew I was used to leading people younger than me, not older. I’m only 14. I don’t know half the stuff they do! They could probably give a physics formula for serving a ball. I don’t know anything but the fundamentals my dad drilled into my head! Pass-set-spike! She watched as two more girls walked out. God! What is happening? I’m not ready to lead—not like this! She began to feel sick.
The team went from 12 to nine girls in less than 30 minutes. Grace’s stomach started to churn and she asked to be excused. Once in the bathroom, she whispered her prayers out loud, “Lord, help me do this, because I don’t know what to do. I need to talk to someone—like someone with skin. No offense.”
She remembered her church youth leader and continued her conversation. “Hey God, Marissa was an All-American volleyball player in college! I’ve picked her brain for ways I could improve my game, but I bet she could help me lead too!” The churning stopped, and Gracie was relieved. She had a plan. She already had a good relationship Marissa because they both loved volleyball. She was counting the days until youth group when she heard a whistle sound. It was time to hit the court.
She joined the girls and noticed they ran the warm-up drills slow, some even walked instead of doing sprints. She gave it her all. She was taught by her parents to always give her best, no matter what you’re doing. The team ran around the indoor track, and most of them were out of breath by the second lap. Spiking? They missed time and again. Serving? They barely got the ball over the net.
Grace groaned. She was in awe, but not in a good way. The weight of the world landed squarely on her shoulders. How am I going to help turn this around? Do I have to motivate them—in six weeks? HOW? These Field High “Tigers” are not just tame, they’re lame! She couldn’t lighten her mood with her own humor and felt optimism sink out of reach. I need to talk with Marissa—fast!
That night, after Grace swept in to the house and gobbled down her supper, she called Marissa. “Oh. My. Goodness. Marissa? It’s Grace. I have a huge problem, and I need your help!”
Marissa laughed, “I’m glad to help, if I can.” Teenagers always had a healthy supply of drama, but she especially liked Grace. It was more than just a volleyball connection. She had a good head on her shoulders. “What’s up?”
Gracie started in, “Well, for starters, I was named the new captain of the varsity volleyball team—”
Marissa cut in, “Cool! I knew you could—”
“No, Marissa! A bad team!” She poured out the details in a stream. “I’m so stressed out! First, it was embarrassing. The coach said if we don’t win this year, the school is cutting the program, which is horrible. Then she said the team needed me. ME! A ninth grader! Like—how am I going to lead? I’ve never even hung out with kids older than me! One of the seniors stormed out and two of her friends quit on the spot—all because of me. Now there’s only nine girls left, and I have no clue how to get them to trust me or even like me. We have six weeks to improve or we’ll get slaughtered this season by mediocre teams! Can you help?”
Marissa listened and started in with empathy, “I’m so sorry, Gracie. Believe it or not, I’ve been there! Well, not leading people older than me, but I was on the other side. In high school, I played volleyball because it was something to do. I never gave it much thought. I just wanted to be a part of the team, and it did not matter to me if we won or lost.”
Grace whispered, “No! Not you?”
“Yeah, me! At least until I had a captain that saw potential in me and changed my perspective. She believed in me, and it was a game changer! I know you can do the same. I actually use the same principles today that my team captain back in high school! Do you have something to write with?” She waited for Grace to get a pen and paper before she continued, “Here’s what you need to do, and believe me, it works!”
Grace wrote down everything Marissa shared, but put big stars around the first one at the top of the page: #1: BELIEVE IN THEM! When Marissa finished, she paused and said, “Grace? Know this. I believe in you. You can do this.”
“Wow, I needed to hear those words. I’ve always been determined to succeed, but this threw me for a loop! I want to be a good leader. I enjoy volleyball so much! I just wanted others around me to enjoy it too.”
“Believe me, I understand!” Marissa encouraged Grace to take action right away. “You got this, girl!”
The next day, Grace brought Gatorade for all the girls and arrived early to start practicing the drills. She wanted to set the standard. She was committed to winning and hoped they would follow her example or at least catch a glimmer of it——a winner’s attitude.
“We can do this, guys!” She continued to show up and play full out. She wasn’t trying to show off—just show up the way she had been taught. She brought Gatorade without saying a word or asking anyone to chip in. She used it as an opportunity to gather around the cooler and ask questions. What’s your favorite food? Who do you admire? What do you enjoy most about volleyball?
The walls came down as she got to know her teammates. It was tough at first and didn’t come naturally, but Marissa believed in her, and each small success encouraged her to take another step outside of her comfort zone. Before long it didn’t matter if she was “too young.” She was capable.
By the fourth week, Grace posted notes over the locker room.
WE ARE WINNERS!
WE OVERCOME ADVERSITY TOGETHER!
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS!
Their spikes and serves improved along with their confidence. Grace celebrated them. The girls began to stay later at practice to get better. Grace stayed with them. If one girl didn’t think she could run another lap, Grace ran beside her and encouraged her, “You can do this! I believe in you!”
Coach Tillman built upon the fundamentals. Grace built a solid core of confidence and community. The team finally trusted and believed in one another. It was good ground for the season. They gained momentum together and achieved much more than anyone imagined. When the finals were over, they didn’t quite land on top, but their comeback saved the volleyball program.
From the Book: Made To Sparkle By Yvette Lanier
