Austen Makes Middle School Volleyball Team

Last year Austen told me casually how much he enjoyed playing volleyball in PE class and that when he was in 7th grade he wanted to go out for the boys volleyball team for his middle school. Now I hadn't seen him play volleyball in over a year but when Tom and I played with him on Castaway Cay during our first Disney Cruise, I don't recall him being a great player so I was like, sure, go for it buddy. So when 7th grade rolled around and he was finally able to try out for the school team (we don't have a 6th grade team), he couldn't wait.

Forty-five kids tried out for 12 spots over the course of two days. We had to leave early on the last day for a soccer training when the kids would find out if they made it or not so Austen had to leave not knowing. The coach told him to come see him the next day to find out if he made it. Regardless, I didn't want this messing with his head before an important soccer session so I was happy that he wouldn't find out til the next day, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot to start his soccer session his friends were texting him that he made the team. (And what a huge boost in confidence I guess that was for him during his soccer session.)

He was very excited he made the team with little to no real outside training. I saw him play for the first time just last week and then again today. And all I have to say is these PE teachers must be phenomenal because Austen has gone from being just okay to being really good. He can overhand serve easily, mainly sets but can help block and put the ball over the net. He's really enjoying his season so far and their team really has some great athletes on it. Hopefully they'll go far just like his cross country team!

He definitely didn't need to add another sport into the mix but he's having fun being with his teammates and making new friends through yet another sport. Congrats Austen!

#10

Bump, Set, Spike

The Serve