Zero-six, zero-six, zero-six. I have gone a whole season and lost every single match I’ve played, yet this season I can only focus on what I’ve gained: a second family. The word written on the back of our t-shirt — FAMILY — and the names followed underneath holds no lies. The relationships within this team is the real unbeatable match.
We set strong mindsets, touch every line and focus on technique to improve. There is nothing short of hard work being done. At practice, though, there is more than the sound of the ball bouncing or the pound of the ball on the racket but giggling and laughing always brings smiles on everyone’s face. What we don’t always make up in wins, we make up in fun and friendships.
“Did you bring the book?” I asked Head Coach Noah Bernal.
“It’s in my car,” he said.
“Are we gonna read it today?” I said, questioning him.
“We need to be motivated,” junior Sarah Doble chimed in.
“I’ll go get it,” Bernal said . . . sighing.
The team sits in a circle as Bernal stands towards the side, he opens the book to the date and reads the quote, followed by the author’s motivational words and some of his own.
“March fourth, don’t let the mistakes stop you from going forward,” Bernal read aloud. “So March fourth,” he emphasized.
“Instead, it is April fourth,” junior Gracie Fuller questioned.
“Oh, you’re right, it is,” Bernal said. “But it’s still a good lesson, so listen up.”
We all laugh, and he continues to finish the lecture. A sentence stands out, and a handful of the girls start snapping, as if it were a poetry slam, and to no surprise, there were giggles that followed. Besides the laughter, we get motivation to push us through practice and the upcoming meets.
Unfortunately, this family is breaking up next year. The seniors are graduating and heading to college. And this year, both coaches, Noah Bernal and Sarah Benzel, are heading off just like the seniors. Benzel is going to be a part-time coach next year, as of right now, and Bernal is moving to western Nebraska to pursue his passion for teaching and coaching at a different school.As some of our family moves on to achieve new goals, the rest of our family remains together, and new members plan to join next season.
