Basketball 2 in 1!

 

There are moments... moments where you are so filled with pride for your children that words can hardly describe it. That deep sense of contentment, the tears filling one's eyes recognizing the sheer effort one's children have put into something. There were moments like that - several of them - this basketball season. 

First, of course, was the fact that Amalia was asked to move up from middle school (where her father was thinking he would have the benefit of coaching her) to the junior varsity team. Then there was the moment that Irini announced that she had been named co-captain. Then there was the walking into the gym for the first game of the season and being surprised to see both girls standing at center court to start the game. Then, of course, the overcoming injuries, the hard fought games, the communication and all those things that make sports such a beautiful thing. 

And then there was the end-of-season tournament. Just two weeks earlier the somewhat inexperienced team was struggling but it all came together for the tournament. They were never going to blow anyone out (in fact, four of their six games ended with a three point of less difference) but they pushed through when they needed to. Perhaps the most tear-filled, pride-packed moment was the end of a double overtime game against DAA. Irini featured heavily in that, scoring two clutch shots in overtime, including what turned out to be the game winner. But it was on defense that she truly shone. And her absolute level-headedness during a time that everyone else (including mommy and daddy and little sister who was on the bench at the time) was freaking out!  That performance probably sealed the journey to the final!  

And then, in that final (which just a week before was unthought of) they both fought hard in. Amalia shone brightly with her leadership (she was the starting point guard throughout the tournament) and amazing defensive and transition passing. Easily this was her best game of the season and she left lots of promise for years to come. Irini continued her amazing defensive effort and fouled out with three minutes left. In the end the team fell by one point and finished second, but wow!  What growth!  What effort!  What teamwork!  

When a parent walks away from that - and especially one who isn't focused on the final placement, scores and medals - he/she can't help but be completely pride-filled and so very happy with what these two girls have managed to accomplish in one season. Making things every better it was a bit of a breakthrough season for the girls: One in which Amalia recognized not only that she is a good player, but found her passion for the game and Irini really stepped up in being an amazing role model for the rest of her teammates. And, as parents, being in a space where both one one's children are being introduced in a final is quite special too. Not that the moment has defined our relationship, but it does complete that pride-filling to recognize that we have special girls in this family. 

We love you both!! So much!

Irini Shines in Volleyball

 

So there she was, on day one of try outs. 50+ girls were trying our and her daddy, the co-coach, was looking out over the sea of girls trying out wondering what things would look like. Irini would go on to impress enough to make the team (she did make it last year, after all) and move onto the season with another 13 girls. As the season moved on, and the pieces were slowly put into place, it seemed like she'd be a critical piece to their work. The team, as one might suspect, had their ups and downs but lots of potential and Irini worked, and worked some more. 

By the time the end-of-season tournament came around, in Delhi (her first time to India) it was apparent that she was a pretty important piece in the big puzzle called ASD volleyball. She was a setter (one of two) and slowly began to do a bit of hitting as well (helped, a bit, by the system we were playing). In India the team did a great job, playing as we had hoped they would. We had rotations in every position to make sure that every girl got breaks to be ready for the final day - day 3 - when the playoffs would matter most (from a competitive standpoint). 

The night before, as daddy and his co-coach Stefanie, made their way to the hotels rooms of the girls for curfew, he spoke to his girl about "tomorrow" being the last time he would probably ever coach her. He began to cry in the middle of a small corridor on the third floor of a hotel in central Delhi. Irini walked up to hug him and together they stayed that way for a short while, being observed by her roommate (and one of her best friends) Nadia and Stefanie who, watching, were both fighting tears of their own. 

By the next morning the stage was set for a day filled with passion, and stress and overcoming. Irini played her heart out and did the little things that indicate incremental change - a dive here, a communication there, a set pushed outside a bit harder than before, a hit in a critical moment. 

The tournament ended with our girls winning first place (undefeated and proud as can be). But for daddy there were two moments (in the videos below) - his personal highlight reel of his daughter growing up - that showed him that she's ready to move on to a higher level. One was a dig that he had been asking her to do for years (a dive without worrying about the floor) and the other was a hit at the net. Both came at very crucial moments of the semi-final (with the hit being the next-to-last point, as it turned out) and both were done with focus and without hesitation. 

Daddy will miss his girl when she moves "up" (hopefully) next year, but boy is he proud of how far she's come and how amazing she is. Love, glykoula. Love!

Amalia's Final (pretty awesome) MS Volleyball Chapter

 

To say that Amalia finished her middle school volleyball career on a high would be an understatement. The team went 11-0 and lost only one set the entire season. But beyond that, Amalia grew as a leader on the team and, perhaps more impressive, was that little thing called confidence and maturity. She seemed completely under control even in the most difficult of moments. She dove to play a play and then got right up ready for the next one. If she, or anyone else, made a mistake she'd be the first one to support and brush it off, focusing on the next play. In so many ways her no-nonsense approach was a stark contrast to her personality (so bubbly and exuberant). But there she was, doing her thing, being the leader that the team needed her to be. 

Together with her teammates they made such a strong team. Without the "superstars" who defined the team in years past this team was all about working together, dealing with difficulty together, celebrating together. Together. Literally every girl on the team had an important role in the wellbeing of the whole and Amalia was a backbone on the court and an avid supporter of her teammates when off the court (as a parent hopes their child will be). 

After the season ended, and celebrations were done, the parents challenged the players to one final game of teh season. The parents, of course, were a total hodge podge of experiences but the girls really shone why they had done so well. There were moments when the parents thought it would be easy when suddenly, out of the blue, a girl would fly and get a ball seemingly destined for the floor. Again, there were no superstars but they kept at it, solid and together, and handily beat the rowdy parent crowd. Daddy, who played opposite of his girl on that day, realizing just how good this team is. And happily, as he thinks ahead to next year, he realizes that this team will do its part for many years to come. No frills, but moving forward. 

And then, when the season was aaaaaaall over, Amalia grabs a ball and sports a new jump serve. Out of the blue. She gets eight out of ten over. Daddy is floored. Her coach, Mr. Cook (who loves her, by the way) asks "where did you get that from". Amalia answers, "Oh, Sophie showed me how to do it yesterday". There is lots to look forward to with this girl. And, of course, we love you sooooo much!

Sisters

 

When the girls were young(er) daddy used to worry about how well they'd get along. Would they be there for each other?  Would they stand up for each other? Would they tell each other secrets?  Would they rely on each other for support when things get tough? Would they enjoy each other's company?  Would they be each other's best friend?  

Well, perhaps the verdict is in. There is no need to worry (too much) any more. Perhaps they aren't the type of sisters that are inseprable but they sure do support each other and hold each other up. They go to each other's games, and watch each other's events. They chat into the night about this and that and the other thing. They run their ideas by each other. And they do, in fact, seem to appreciate what the other brings to their life. 

The parents, too, are so happy to watch them grow together, to learn together, sometimes to play on the same teams, and to do what sisters do... sometimes complain or be short; sometimes celebrate; sometimes help each other with the homework; and always appreciate the persons they have become. It's pretty amazing to watch their growth unfold before our very eyes. And we gotta love amazing!

Jumping Off the Rocks

 

South of Sorento it's hard to get lost among the green and lose your way beyond that one little bay you're looking for. In our case we drove south looking for a place we had seen the day before from the boat. From that vantage point it looked like a great place... just high enough on the rocks to make is difficult to get to but accessible enough that we could jump in if we'd want. And so it was that we made our way to Bagni Regina Giovanna. 

Parking was a nightmare but when daddy dropped off the girls to make their way into the trail to the ancient Roman villa ruins (the view would have been, and still is, absolutely amazing!) he needed over 35 minutes to find a parking space that was within walking distance. Still, after some looking around, he found the girls happy as can be, sitting on the rocks overlooking the sea below and Sorento to the right in the distance. There were spots to jump - some higher than others - and the girls decided to give it a shot. Irini took a shorter outcrop to jump in and Amalia followed. But later Amalia decided she needed to challenge herself a bit more, and so she did. 

We must have stayed a couple hours and it was just what the doctor needed. Just a low frills opportunity to be in nature, and in water. As we left the smiles were pretty broad and, still in bathing suits, we made our way to a hotel with a view just down from where we were staying. As luck would have it we'd have a delightfully traditional Italian dinner overlooking the sunset (with the addition of a couple of family celebrations for children coming of age - why not?)