Irini's First MESAC

When Irini was born her parents had all sorts of dreams for her. Some were under the larger umbrella of "happy" or "successful" but some were of a more particular nature such as "be engaged in the community" or "play sports". It was in one of those more focused ones that dreams (perhaps more a particular father's dreams) came true this year. Irini tried out - one of 52 girls - for the JV volleyball team. Now in ninth grade her involvement in sports was at a cross roads of taking it 'seriously' of calling it a day. 

As things would turn out this season was a pivotal for our girls. Though this post focuses on our oldest, the truth is that Amalia also had her own similar journey (to be discussed in a different post). Irini came into the season - and into high school - carrying herself well but with the natural lack-of-confidence perhaps typical of a middle schooler growing into a new space and culture.  She was quiet, and rather shy, but over the course of two months blossomed into a confident, engaged, positive leader. At one point daddy reflected on Irini's growth by noting "you're so much more confident now", to which Irini, without skipping a beat, replied "in volleyball and in life". 

Coming out of her shell was not simply a figure of speech in these past three months (since the beginning of the school year) but also a transition that she has done through confidently and with open arms. She is meeting new friends - some through this very volleyball team - and growing each and every day. 

Which. brings us back to this season and the MESAC tournament, in particular. When tryouts took place in early September daddy wasn't so sure that our girl would make the team. He snuck into the Fieldhouse to look at tryouts from the track above, and to give her unspoken support and love. But one thing lead to another and Irini worked her way from the 52 who tried out to the 16 who made the team, to the 10 who made the MESAC roster and, finally, to the starting six. With every transition described here our girl was coming out of her shell. Communicating. Focusing. Listening. Playing.

Until finally the MESAC tournament came and she was - for two games - a critical piece in the success of the team. Coaches often have an unwritten rule of "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" and this ebbs and flows throughout tournaments. And not every player will have a high point all the time. For Irini there was a two game stretch, in particular, on the first day of MESAC that she was (according to her father, anyway) that indispensable piece of the team. This is all arguable, of course, but in this family we're seeing it that way. So 52, to 16, to 10, to 6 and finally to 2. Amazing growth and nothing but love and pride in all she does day in and day out!  

We can't wait to see where this journey takes her but our hearts and full and our sense of pride simply through the roof!