Post 5: Volleyball game

When I was in High School I played volleyball. In fact my life completely revolved around every aspect of the game. Tonight I went to a volleyball game for the first time since I played in my own last game last November. It was exhilarating to witness the game that I loved once again. The gym smelled of light sweat, which was only felt by those closest to the court, as the cool air of the air conditioning filtered through the crowed. The shoes squeak as the players take the floor, and being to work about in their quest for a victory. Suddenly you begin to hear the babble of the players communicating with each other in a language all their own. You can see their pulse through their neck, and the tension they feel seeps into the crowd. The squeaky shoes are joined by the soft snap crackle and pop of the ball as it contacts first the passer’s forearms, setter’s fingertips, and finally the hitter’s palm. If you look over to your neighbor you are likely to witness them eating popcorn, or letting a crisp coke run down their throat. Glancing to side of the gym you see the cheerleaders clad in their uniforms and shouting out encouragement to their team. It is amazing to watch the talent and skill of one team penned against that of another team of sometimes equal, and sometimes greater skill. Intermittently the sharp pierce of the referee’s whistle interrupts the game. However, when the game is going the players move in tandem exacuting their most difficult maneuvers flawlessly, and with apparent ease. Yet if you look closely you can see their muscle’s strain and pull with each movement. The closer the game is, the tenser the atmosphere. When the battle comes down to a couple points the crowd begins to roar behind it’s team, helping to drive them onward. When the game comes to a close the tension breaks, and emotion floods over and shallows out. The game tonight filled me with memories of my own games, yet it was interesting to view the game from the point of a spectator, rather than of a participator.