Nov. 16, 2009
I hate that line, the one that Coach quoted to us after our loss on Saturday against Walsh. "You know, very few teams get to end their season on a win."
Perhaps it’s the competitor in me that can’t stand those words, the fact that we had just lost to Walsh after a hard-fought match that took us to five sets. The fact that our hopes for an NAIA Nationals bid were finally crashed. The fact that we lost to Walsh, one of our biggest rivals.
But I think perhaps it’s something more that makes me cringe when I hear that statement. I think it’s the fact that the season is over.
I’d be lying if I told you that ending the season is the most heart-breaking thing that could have happened. Of course there are positives to a life without volleyball for a while. More time for homework, time to get surgery on my shoulder, time to spend with my forgotten and dejected friends that I’ve barely seen for the past months. Sure, that’s all well and good; but while I gain from the ending of a season, I’m also losing.
I’m losing practice every day, times when I get to see my teammates dressed in matching outfits, giggling about what the chapel speaker said or reminiscing about past experiences together. I lose the ability to joke with Katherine about the fact that Coach is taking us to Wendy’s.....again.....after our away match.
I lose the ability to hug Nikki and tell her I can’t wait till she’s better, and the chance to ask Hartman what new disgusting thing happened at clinicals that day. For a few months, I lose the opportunity to laugh as Coach makes up some crazy exclamation after Lauren kills the ball to the floor. And I lose the ability to ask the girls how their days went.
Sure, I can still see them around and they’re only a phone call away, but it’s not the same as what it is during season.....and plus, I hate phones. But perhaps what hurts the most is the fact that after we lost on Saturday, the realization surfaced that with the ending of the season, I lose the ability to play volleyball alongside three of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.
Last Tuesday night we celebrated our three seniors. Though we lost to ODU in a rough match, we were still able to celebrate the fact that for the past four years, our three seniors have put in countless hours, countless amounts of effort, and an immeasurable amount of emotion into something that is more than just a sport.
As the referee walked up to Emily after our Walsh match and thanked her for her honor call, telling her that the way in which she played proved the verses on the back of our uniforms, I was reminded once again why we play volleyball, and why it’s been so much fun playing with those three for my past three years here.
Cedarville University Volleyball is about more than just a win-loss record; it’s about a group of girls using the abilities God’s given them to pursue a life that glorifies Christ. My prayer is that our three seniors are better-equipped after their four years here.
So yeah, the reason I hate Coach using that line isn’t that I’m completely forlorn about the fact that our season ended in a loss. Though that saddens me, the fact that it represents the ending of a chapter in my life that includes Em, Teenie, and Liz is truly what gets me.
And yet I’m thankful for the time we’ve had learning together, and my prayer is that as they look onward to what their lives will become, they never stop searching for the God that has blessed each of us in such a ridiculous way with our time here at Cedarville.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for our seniors as they head away from CU volleyball and into the real world. Emily is moving to California next month to be with her husband, Aaron, when he gets back from Afghanistan. Liz is getting married in March to Nate, and is going to probably end up living in New Mexico for awhile. And Teenie is going in search of the best med-school around, intent on becoming the best eye-doctor this side of the Mississippi. Pray for God’s hand in their lives, and that as they live, every day will be a new opportunity for them to live lives completely in pursuit of Christ.
- Continue to pray for Erica’s family as they’re still trying to sell their house in Michigan.
- There are quite a few injuries that need healed over the next few months as we prepare for next year. There will be two surgeries (one for my shoulder, one for Emily Shade’s shoulder) within the next few months, so pray for healing and quick recoveries!
- Pray for our recruits as they finish out their time in high school. Our recruiting class for next year isn’t completely full, but we’ve already got some wonderful commitments and we’re so excited for what next year will bring.
- Pray for our team as a whole, that his off-season we’ll grow in the Lord, and that next year as we come together, our focus on Christ will be that much stronger.
Nov. 9, 2009
The Cedarville University Lady Jackets have finished their conference games, and are currently standing in third place in the American Mideast Conference. We still have the AMC Tournament this weekend, vying for our place in NAIA Nationals, but nevertheless getting third in conference is a tremendous accomplishment for our team.
Our stance in the conference helps us this weekend, as it looks like our seeding has turned out to our benefit. If we win two matches on Saturday, we’re on our way to Iowa (well, kind of. We’d still have to win one more game next weekend.....which we would)!
Tuesday is the day that cemented our place in the conference tournament, with a win over the University of Northwestern Ohio. The match went stunningly well, specific players on our team coming alive at key times. It was definitely a cumulative effort, and was a very exciting game to participate in. We beat UNOH in four sets, and it was definitely a rewarding endeavor.
This past weekend we found ourselves fighting for a place at NCCAA Nationals that will be in Florida early December; the regionals were held at Grace College in Indiana. Our first match was against Grace, and despite the myriad of injuries on our team, we were able to pull through and take Grace in four sets. It was a hard fought battle, and one we’re thankful to have won. Our second match was against Spring Arbor, their big hitters proving too much for our team, beating us in four difficult sets.
To be quite honest, our team is very injured right now. Injuries have been the plague this entire season, and this past weekend was no different.
On Thursday, Sarah Hartman was informed that she had mono, and thus rendered unable to play. Lauren Gill had a procedure done on her leg to remove some type of growth, and though she was able to play this weekend it was obvious that she was in pain. These two injuries are only added to the knees, shoulders, and heads that have been constant struggles this season. If we are going to do well this coming weekend at the AMC tournament, we have quite a bit of healing to do. That is the prayer.
Prayer Requests:
- Emily Shade is able to say ‘next month’ for when Aaron will be home. Continue to pray for him in his last month in Afghanistan.
- As I stated, pray for the numerous injuries on our team. We are playing right now by the grace of God, so continue to ask for his healing and strength for us.
- Tuesday night is Senior Night. Lift up our seniors as they look to their futures. Emily will be leaving after this semester to go California to be with Aaron. Liz is getting married in March and will be living in New Mexico. And Justine is looking into medical schools for after she graduates.
Nov. 2, 2009
Cedarville Volleyball for the 2009 season played perhaps their best game to date last Tuesday night against Walsh. Everything seemed to click for us, and needless to say everything went exactly as we’d hoped.
We came out on fire in the first set, and due to the amazing serve receive that continued throughout the night coupled with good defense and consistent attacks, were able to beat Walsh in four sets. It was exactly what our team needed not only for morale sake, but likewise because that match combined with the rest of the conference record is a big reason we’re now able to vie for the NCCAA Nationals bid.
Saturday we drove to Malone early in the morning and found ourselves a little off that morning. Malone played a great game, making few errors and getting nearly every ball up that we sent at them. They beat us in four sets, a loss that has made our run for the conference tournament a little tougher. Following the game against Malone, we beat Carlow in three, the first time we’ve beaten a team in three sets all season.
As I stated earlier, we will be playing this Friday in order to try to qualify for NCCAA Nationals. We’re really excited that the Athletic Department has allowed us this opportunity, and we’re looking forward to some great competition.
Before we head there, however, Tuesday we have our final conference game against the University of Northwestern Ohio. They’re a team that has only had a volleyball program for two years, but have already met with quite a bit of success. We need to win this match in order to qualify for our conference tournament, and thus NAIA Nationals.
It’s going to be a tough week for our team, but we’re definitely up for the challenge. Our prayer is that the hard work we’ve put in this season pays off in big ways. We’ve been having so much fun playing together and spending with each other, we’re not really ready for it to end.
Prayer Requests:
- It’s now November, which means that Aaron Shade will be home next month. Pray for both Emily and Aaron as the window until his return grows shorter, and pray also that he’s kept safe.
- Continue to pray that the Bartholomew family is able to sell their house in Michigan.
Oct. 26, 2009
The whole week of practice we were able to have definitely proved worthwhile for us. We worked hard Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and were able to survive the eight-hour trip to Roberts Wesleyan for the W on Friday night. (Fun Volleyball Fact: We don’t practice on Wednesdays.....Coach knows us enough to know we need the extra time.....and schedules would make it impossible).
Anyway, Friday night went well at Roberts, and was followed by another good match on Saturday at Houghton. We won both matches in four sets - still seeking our first three-set win of the season. In total, the team spent about 17 hours on the bus this weekend, and so it’s a blessing from God that we were able to perform.
The real news occurred on Sunday, however. It’s a volleyball tradition to do pick-a-dates, and this year was no exception.
For those who aren’t familiar with pick-a-dates, let me explain. A pick-a-date involves a group of people who desire to go on a date. Someone is designated to assign dates for the others (seniors in our tradition), and an activity is planned. The dates are kept secret until that day when the pairings are finally revealed and the date enjoyed. In other words, it’s a pretty much a group blind-date.
The festivities included pumpkin carving, caramel-apple making, and a large group game of mafia (a really fun card game). All-in-all, the night was a success and I think the whole team would attest to the fun they had. It was a great time of fellowship, and we definitely enjoyed ourselves and the opportunity to meet new people.
On to other things, as we look forward to our upcoming schedule, there’s a big match that sticks out. Walsh enters our gym on Tuesday, following a pretty decent season with some recent losses that are sure to make them all the more competitive. It’s going to be a very intense night, and our prayer is that God allows us to prepare well and play hard.
This weekend we’re scheduled at Malone for a tri-match with Carlow. It’s going to be a trying week for us, but if we play well we’ll be that much closer to the AMC tournament, and the NAIA Championships.
Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for Emily and Aaron Shade. Pray that Aaron will be home before Christmas as scheduled, and that Emily will be able to finish out her semester strong.
- Please be in prayer for Erica Bartholomew’s family as they’re still trying to sell their house in Michigan.
- Join the team in thanking God for the gifts we’ve been blessed with. November is on the horizon, and it’s always a good reminder that we’ve been given so many things. Pray that we never forget the extraordinary blessing it is to even breathe, let alone play volleyball.
Oct. 19, 2009
Last Tuesday we found ourselves at Mount Vernon Nazarene playing a team that has been chosen to win the conference this year. It was a difficult match, times of brilliance on our side of the net followed by times of struggle, causing us to lose to them in four 4 sets. A tough loss, bringing us to 3-3 in the conference.
We’re currently in sixth place in the conference, and if we at least stay in sixth we are able to make the conference tournament at the end of the season. It’s going to be a difficult road, but we can definitely do well and be successful with the time we have left.
This weekend we’re going to New York to play Roberts Wesleyan and Houghton, two teams that will be good opponents, but both very beatable. This week will be a good opportunity to work hard.
The past four days our team (and school) has been on fall break, a great time of rest and recovery. I was able to go home and surprise my little sister, Aubrey. It was the first time I was able to watch her play volleyball in high school, and it was definitely a treat. Her team has only lost once this year, and I’m excited to see what happens with the rest of their season. It was definitely a good and needed break.
The rest of the team dispersed to various areas of the country. Erica road to Iowa with me and was able to surprise her family in Newton. Heather was able to go back to Alabama for the weekend. Lauren spent time with her family in Kentucky. And the rest of the team was able to go to their homes and really just enjoy themselves as well. I know the break was much needed for our team, and I’m excited to get back to practicing this week in order to get ready for the weekend.
Prayer Requests:
- The Bartholomews still need to sell their house. They’re praying it is sold by October 23rd which is coming up very soon. We’re praying that burden can be solved quickly.
- Continue to keep Aaron and Emily Shade in your prayers.
- I ask that you are intentional in praying for the missions trip that will be coming up this summer. We’re going to Costa Rica in early August, and our prayer is that it’s a great opportunity to truly use volleyball as a witness agent. We’re definitely excited to get the ball rolling on planning for it.
Oct. 12, 2009
Coming off our two exciting wins last weekend, we were dealt a blow by Ohio Dominican on Tuesday night, falling to them in five long sets. They played a great match, and it felt like every hit we pummeled across the net was dug up and pounded back at us. It was a tough match to lose, but Coach quickly reminded us that ODU is no longer in our conference. A good comfort, as our goal is to do well in conference first and foremost.
We played Friday at Ursuline. Leaving at 1:30 Friday afternoon, we boarded the bus ready to bring our conference record above the .500 mark. The bus ride was about 3 ½ hours, a long time that was full of homework, eating our pre-packed Chuck’s food, and movies.
Fun Fact: One of our favorite pastimes is watching a movie and then quoting that movie for the rest of the day. We watched Baby Mama this past weekend, a team favorite due to its light-hearted humor and overall wittiness and quotability.
Our match that night began with a loss in the first set after beginning with a large lead. However, the troops were rallied and we were able to defeat Ursuline in the next three sets to get our conference record above .500 for the first time this season. This was a key win for us, as we’re still pursuing a nationals bid this season. If we continue to play to the fullest of our abilities, we have a very good chance of an intense post-season play schedule.
This week we play at Mount Vernon Nazarene on Tuesday, a majorly important contest for us as MVNU was chosen as one of the top teams in the conference, and is likewise one of our biggest rivals. After we play there on Tuesday, we come back to campus and have a quick practice Wednesday morning before we’re off to Fall Break, something the entire team is more than ready for.
Volleyball season has been great thus far, but the addition of schoolwork and other life-stresses makes Fall Break an exciting occurrence, and this is the perfect time for it to come around.
Prayer Requests:
- Lauren Gill’s family just adopted a 12-year old girl from Ukraine, and Lauren had the opportunity to visit her this past weekend. Praise Jesus for Yana’s adoption into the Gill family, and pray that she will adjust to life in America over the next few weeks and months. This is truly an exciting time for the Gill family.
- Pray that as the team travels over Fall Break, they’ll be able to drive safely and completely enjoy their time. I know that for a few of our freshmen, it will be their first time home since they started college, so needless to say they’re excited.
- Continue to pray for Aaron Shade while he’s stationed in Afghanistan. Emily was able to talk to him again this past week, and was excited to tell him about the apartment she’s rented for them in California. I know the time is moving slowly for Emily and Aaron, so continue to pray that God will bring them through this time and will continue to be faithful to them.
Oct. 5, 2009
Sweet, sweet victory. I don’t want to be the one and say that I told you so, but, I totally told you so. This weekend was absolutely fantastic. Not only did we break our losing streak, but we were able to win two matches in a row against two very good teams. We’re now 2-2 in conference play, and have officially built enough confidence to know that we can do whatever we put our minds to.
Friday started off as a good enough day. Dr. Brown spoke to a chapel full of alumni and students, Chuck’s served up some BLT sandwiches in celebration of Homecoming, and the gym was full of family and friends readily expecting their complimentary ice cream provided after the third set.
The team showed up to the match in pretty good spirits, excited that we were finally going to play when everyone was healthy and ready to go. Back to our original line-up (which is actually like our fifth line-up, but still kind of original in that it’s the one we were using before everyone started to get hurt) we started off with a magnificent warm-up.
Point Park was the team across the net sporting a 15-match winning streak. The referee blew the whistle, and then the magic happened. Blocks went down on the other side, players flew out of nowhere to return hits that should have hit the floor, and serves were delivered with such bluster as to knock the socks off of every single Point Park player. Amazing. Everything finally clicked, and we beat Point Park in five sets, presenting an error-less fifth set in the hitting percentage category to seal the deal.
Saturday, the high continued. We took Daemen in four sets - our winning streak of two is now the longest winning streak we’ve had this season. We were definitely carried by our defense against Daemen, and as a front row player I can honestly say that I was getting very tired at the end of every rally because neither team wanted to let the ball hit the floor.
Our four sets against Daemen almost seemed to take longer than our five against Point Park, simply because of the scrappiness out on the court on both sides. (I checked, and Point Park was still longer overall… but it sure didn’t feel that way)
Overall, we’re so thankful that God allowed us such a magnificent weekend. It is truly a gift from Him and an answer to our prayers. We spent this past week practicing hard as we got ready for the weekend, and it’s an answer to prayer that it paid off.
Continue to pray for us that God will continue this throughout the rest of the season. Realistically, it would be very difficult to go the rest of conference undefeated. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and so it’s what we’re working toward.
We play at Ohio Dominican on Tuesday and then are at Ursuline on Friday. Pray that we continue to be able to play at the top of our game, and that all we do is glorifying to the Lord throughout.
Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for Aaron Shade while he’s in Afghanistan. Emily is counting down the 2 months until she gets to see him again; pray for patience for her, for safety for him, and for strength for each of them.
- Mid-terms are approaching each of us on the team, and this can be a very stressful thing. Pray that we’re able to get our studies done well, and that we are able to persist in the classes we’re blessed to be taking.
- Continue to pray that God teaches us more and more what unity looks like in the body of Christ.
Sept. 28, 2009
Once again I’m completely in awe of God and how He somehow decides to work in ways we can’t understand. For any of you who read my blog last week and then looked at the stats from this week, let me clear up some confusion.
Emily Shade did, in fact, play this past weekend. She went to the doctor, and despite excessive bruising on her arm and a torn labrum, was told that playing is fine up until she has surgery.
Emily herself will tell you that she thought the door to volleyball was closed, but for some reason, God has cracked it back open. She still may not be able to finish the rest of season, it’s truly in the Lord’s hands, but how amazing is it that we serve a God who does the unexpected when we think there’s no possible way it could happen.
There are still a plethora of injuries on our team that we desperately need prayer for. Casey was diving after a ball in our game against Capital almost two weeks ago and hit her head. Though she played that weekend, we found out last Tuesday that she has a concussion, and hence she hasn’t played. Our prayer is that she’s ready for action against Shawnee State on Tuesday, but that one is also in the Lord’s hands.
This past weekend we played at the Best of the Best Tournament at the University of Saint Francis. It was a rough weekend for us, and we’re at a loss right now for how best to approach the rest of season.
Once again, I know that we have the talent and abilities to win the sets that are close, but we’re still struggling to pull those out. Pray that Coach has wisdom with how to best prepare us. We’re at a very critical point in the season, and if we don’t start proving to ourselves that we can do it, our season will end prematurely.
Homecoming is this week, and this is a great opportunity to make a change. We’ve only played one conference match thus far, and so hope is definitely not lost… but it’s time to go. We can’t wait any longer. Please pray for us.
Prayer Requests:
- Emily Shade’s shoulder, Casey’s head, Lauren’s elbow, and the rest of the injuries on the team that just won’t seem to heal.
- Aaron Shade, Emily’s husband, while he’s in Afghanistan
Sept. 21, 2009
This season has had excessive ups and downs. Most of the time I’m so thankful for all the amazing things that God has been working on this season, and then there are times where I simply don’t understand what He’s doing.
Our record after this past weekend is 6-12. That’s, in all honesty, an uncomfortable record. It in no way reflects all the work and prayer we’ve put into this season. And yet, God is faithful and has a plan for this season.
I do not doubt that God has the power to help us reach our full potential this season. Eighteen is the magic number we have to reach in order to finish our season with a record above .500. We can do it. But I’m learning that there’s so much more to volleyball than wins and losses.
This past week against Capital, we lost in four sets; yet in that loss, we lost much more than the score would show. Emily Shade has been struggling with her shoulder this entire season, and as I’ve watched her play each practice with pain piercing through every swing, I’ve been completely in awe of her desire to continue. But against Capital, she finally did too much and ended up hurting herself even more, to the point of needing surgery much sooner than we’d hoped. But God is faithful.
Emily’s final match was Friday night against Notre Dame (Ohio), our conference opener. Notre Dame has been improving every season, and they took us this year in three sets. But Emily was magnificent. Never before have I so obviously seen the hand of God reach down and help a player as I did that night with Em. There is no way she should have been able to get 17 kills in that match, but as I’ve said before, God is faithful.
Emily is getting reevaluated on Tuesday, and in all likelihood she’ll be having surgery as soon as possible. But thank the Lord that she was able to not only play that final match, but really play well. It’s been an honor to play with her the past three years. God is faithful.
Saturday began a new day for our team, minus our starting outside hitter, but full of hope. Nikki Siefert started her first match for Cedarville University on a win against Cincinnati Christian, in front of her dad, brother, and brother’s girlfriend who surprised her Saturday morning during warm-ups by walking in wearing paper bags over their heads. She had no idea they were coming. That was such a precious moment. The team took Cincinnati Christian in five sets, one more win toward the magic 18 we’re seeking to surpass.
Saturday afternoon we played Urbana, a school who has also been getting better every year as they’ve been journeying to NCAA Division II status. It was another hard-fought match, and though we lost, we played well and much more consistent than we’ve played all season. It was an exciting match, because it gave each of us a glimpse of what is sure to come. Lauren Gill played out of her mind that match, and all five of our freshmen gave us valuable time. It’s exciting to look forward to what Cedarville volleyball is going to be. God is so faithful.
We have a few days off until this weekend when we’re traveling to the Best of the Best Challenge in Fort Wayne, Ind. It’s always a good tournament and we’re looking forward to going and having another opportunity to play together and play for Christ.
Prayer Requests:
- Once again, keep Aaron Shade in your prayers while he’s in Afghanistan. Emily was able to have about a 20-minute conversation this week, the longest they’ve had in a while. Praise Jesus.
- Keep Emily in your prayers, especially on Tuesday as she visits the doctor. She’s already shown so much determination this season, I’m thankful for the witness she’s been through these tough times. Pray that God continues to give her strength and that she’ll make a wise decision regarding the timing of her surgery.
Sept. 14, 2009
For the first time this past weekend, we played like the National Championship team that we are. After 10 days off, we opened on our home court at the Cedarville Invitational against Indiana University East on Friday, a team we lost to at the Grace Invitational. This time, we were ready to play, and did we play! I could feel the energy and confidence radiating off my team as we took East point by point, finally convincing ourselves that we can win close sets. We fought hard, and we deserved our win.
Later that night, we played Saint Xavier University. They were a tough team, and we weren’t ready for it. They beat us in three, and ended up winning the tournament the next day. It was one of those matches we just wanted to forget, because everything just felt off.
Saturday morning our first match was against the University of Saint Francis. It took five hard-fought sets, but our desire finally kicked in once again and we rolled through the fifth set for the win. In both the game against IU-East and this game against USF, our team was playing well and playing together.
Even though we lost to Indiana University SE later that day (we really did play pretty well), it was amazing to finally see the hopes we had realized. I think my team got a taste of what we could be, and though we’re going to have to continue to put in hard work and really push for it, it’s exciting to know that it’s there.
We ended up taking second place in our tournament, a very exciting accomplishment for us. Next weekend we’re looking at another three matches on our home court. But first we have to travel to Capital University in Columbus on Tuesday night to face the 4-5 Crusaders.
We’re excited for the coming week, as we’re opening American Mideast Conference play on Friday against Notre Dame (Ohio). They’re a good team and will be a good challenge for us.
Overall, the AMC should be very interesting this season. Any team is truly capable of beating any other team, and therefore it is going to be important for us to show up each and every night. Mount Vernon Nazarene is ranked #1 in the league right now, but before the season they were ranked 3rd (Walsh was previously ranked first).
There will likely be quite a bit of jumping ranks this season by multiple teams, and I’m excited to see what happens. I can promise you one thing; the AMC winner this year has almost no chance of finishing the season without at least one loss. The teams will be too competitive for that.
Prayer Requests:
- Aaron and Emily Shade while he is in Afghanistan.
- This past Sunday the 13th, I (Kylee) was informed that my Aunt Rosemary was killed instantly when she took a fall while riding her bike. She’s my Dad’s little sister, (the middle sister in a family of 7… 3 girls and 4 boys) and it’s just a difficult thing to lose a sibling. Pray for my Dad and his siblings that they can get everything figured out with her estate and that they will be able to cooperate well with each other. Rose wasn’t married and didn’t have any kids, but nevertheless she’s leaving behind many people who loved and will miss her.
- Our team is very injured currently. There are numerous shoulders, an arm, some shins, and an ab muscle that are trying to heal. Emily Shade and I will both need surgery after the season to repair our shoulders. Pray that these injuries can heal quickly, and that most of all we can keep good attitudes. I know this is really something I’m seeking, because it’s difficult to keep a good attitude when things don’t go the way you want them to.
Sept. 7, 2009
As I stated in an earlier blog, the team watched the movie ‘Facing the Giants’ on our first night together during preseason. In case you haven’t seen it, it’s a Christian-made movie about a football team who, after many seasons of trials, finally felt the hand of God and overcame their multiple difficulties. Our team often makes fun of the movie, because it can be taken as "cheesy" at times.
However, Coach’s Bible studies are going to be based on it this season, and this week’s was great. He spoke about going wholeheartedly, about giving everything we can in every situation.
In the movie, the scene that illustrated this concept took place on the football field. The players were doing a drill in which one would bear crawl about 10-15 yards with one of their teammates balanced on their back.
After the difficult practice, the coach overheard one of his players discussing the next week’s game, expressing his uncertainty about earning a win. At that moment, the coach called out the player onto the field. He pulled out a blindfold, put it on his player, and then had him do the bear crawl drill with one of his teammates on his back until he could go no farther.
It was a stunning scene as the player, on his hands and feet, crawled along the length of the field with his coach in his face yelling at him to keep going, to not give up. On he went, sweat dripping down his face, quivering under the weight of his teammate, but continuing onward. He kept going and going until exhaustion finally caused him to collapse.
"I have to have made it at least to the fifty! I’m so tired!" He took off his blindfold and there he was… in the other end zone. It was only once that player covered his eyes and removed that which was keeping him from going wholeheartedly that he was finally able to give everything. And he was amazed at where he ended up.
That’s the focus of our team. This past week, we struggled with Wittenberg. They brought a roster twice as big as ours, and they played well, but every player on my team will tell you they’re no better than us. Though we were excited for our first home match, we still struggled to maintain the high level of play we finished with when we played Bethel.
Nevertheless, our loss wasn’t total and definite. We have 10 days after that loss until our next matches, a tournament on our home turf. We’re working on strapping on the blindfold, to forget about our insecurities, and to see where the Lord leads us. After all, it’s Him we’re playing for - completely for Him.
I remember a song we sang during the first camp I worked for Cedarville volleyball, my freshman year when Coach Hartman was coaching. It went like this:
"Colossians 3:23 says do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not as unto men….oh, oh, whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not as unto men."
That song is what we’re seeking. When we give it over to God, just wait. Once again, I’ve lost no confidence in my team. Granted, the teams we have played at the beginning of this season have been great; most of them ranked in the NAIA Top 25, each presenting a sure challenge for us. But we’re working on finishing. We’re staying with them, but it’s time to start beating them.
The Lord is teaching us what it means to go wholeheartedly. Pray we learn quickly, and that we don’t just change around our record, but that we spread his love to all we play.
Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for Emily Shade’s husband Aaron. One of the men that he’s serving with was killed, leaving unborn twins. Pray for that family and their loss, and also pray for Aaron’s safety. Once again, we’re praying he gets to call Emily soon. She misses him.
- Sarah Hartman and Katherine MacKenzie are both nursing majors on our team. They’re in their junior year, which is especially difficult to do along with volleyball. Often they’re up before 6 a.m. and then not done with class until right when practice starts. They’re going to miss a lot this fall, and are going to need the Lord’s strength to push through the craziness of their schedules. Pray he helps them to push and to rejoice in the opportunity they have to learn how to serve Him with their future. And pray they get sleep.
- Erica Bartholomew’s parents are in the process of moving from Michigan to Iowa. Her dad, a pastor, has taken a job in Newton. Pray that their house in Michigan sells quickly and that they find one in Iowa. And pray also that their move is quick and that they stay in the Lord’s will throughout.
- Exciting News Alert! Our very own Liz Sweeney got engaged this past weekend! She and her boyfriend Nate met at Cedarville and have been dating for three years now. We’re so excited for them! They’re planning their wedding in March, so pray that plans can go well and that their start as a married couple will be amazing and that they will glorify Christ in their lives together.
Aug. 31, 2009
I think perhaps our favorite day of the week is Monday because Ang (Coach’s wife) cooks us dinner and sends it with Coach to serve us during our weekly Bible study. This past Monday began our weekly Bible studies as a team, and Ang delivered with a magnificent meal complete with two pies - cherry and peach. Delicious.
However, this is not the only reason that Mondays are great. Bible study is such a good time for Coach to share his thoughts on things that God has laid on his heart, and this past week hit me more than any other before.
Coach spoke this week about Joshua, who was forced to step into Moses’ shoes after his death and lead the people of God. To do this, Joshua needed to have faith in the God he was serving. He needed to believe that what God was giving him as a mission was, in fact, important, and that God was going to finish this work in him. "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God shall be with you wherever you go." Joshua needed to trust God to provide a way for Joshua to lead his people well, to show him how he ought to lead, and then guide him in the process.
It’s so easy to get down on what God is doing. But as Coach kept saying, we can’t be on this team and doubting that God is doing something with us. We can’t allow ourselves to think that way. God is doing something with our team, He has each of us here for a reason, and He is going to use each of us in His own way for His own purposes.
This was such a good thing for me to hear, and struck me to the core. I too easily doubt God and His will and His ability to do what He has planned, and I definitely needed the reassurance and reminder that God is going to carry out His grand purposes despite the trials and tribulations that may accompany the process. Thank the Lord for this Christian team and His ability to give Coach the exact words we needed to hear.
We traveled to Taylor on Tuesday to face the 17th-ranked Trojans. Taylor’s tall front line and great serving proved a very difficult opponent, and they beat us in three intense sets. It was a difficult loss for us, but I’m praying it is a turning point for our team.
As was shown in the Bible Study that Coach had for us on Monday, our team is still seeking to define its purpose and really run after that wholeheartedly. We graduated quite a bit of leadership from our team last year, and we’re working on re-establishing that confidence that we are Cedarville Volleyball, and we can do it.
People keep asking me if our team will be good this year, and my response is always the same: We will be unstoppable when we realize how unstoppable we are. The essence of Cedarville volleyball is not the orthodox, predictable skills that often take great teams to the top. We have the skills, don’t mistake me, but we have something much more powerful to go along with it. We have heart and unity in Christ that it is His power working in us to accomplish his purposes. That is the essence of Cedarville volleyball that my team is still seeking.
As I was reading for my Introduction to Philosophy Class this week, a statement by William James hit me. "There are… cases where a fact cannot come at all unless a preliminary faith exists in it coming." As I shared in my prayer requests from last week, our team is still working on belief. We’re working on our confidence, and when we finally start believing and start trusting in what God has for us, we will be unstoppable… be that on or off the court.
The tide began to change at our tournament in Dearborn, Michigan this past weekend. Though we lost our first two matches to Olivet Nazarene and Indiana Tech, we played hard and with much more desire than was seen at Taylor. It launched us into a roller coaster of ups and downs, moments where we looked like a National Championship team, and moments where we seemed to forget that’s just what we are.
After a tough five-set loss to Illinois Tech Saturday morning, we faced our rivals from Bethel (Ind.). The match was close and once again the beginning seemed to be a roller coaster, but by the end the roller coaster stopped and we found ourselves beating Bethel, coming from a 5 point deficit in the fifth set. Praise Jesus.
We’re looking forward to Wittenberg on Tuesday, our first home match of the season. They always bring really tough teams, and so we’re praying that the energy from our win against Bethel will prove to us that we can win tight matches, that we are capable.
Prayer Requests:
- Praise the Lord, Emily was able to talk to Aaron earlier this week for about five minutes! Continue to keep both of them in your prayers.
- Perhaps the most amazing thing has happened. Friday night as we were getting ready to go to bed, Coach massed texted us that he’d received a letter from the coach of the prison team we played earlier this year. After we had finished playing with them, we gave them Bibles. Their coach said that two of the ladies have chosen to follow Christ! Praise Jesus for that! Pray that they grow, pray that they can overcome the adversity in their lives, and that they can be a light in the darkness. They challenged us to read James 1:2-18. I challenge you to do the same.
- Continue to pray that individually, each person on our team is growing in Christ every single day. College is a great opportunity where we have the ability to take our faith, and truly make it our own. We have the chance to figure out some of what God’s calling is in our life, and to realize that life is nothing unless it is seeking to glorify Him wholeheartedly. Pray that we don’t settle for lukewarm Christianity, but that we can be a fire that lights up the world.
Aug. 24, 2009
"How long the road is. But for all the time the journey has already taken, how you have needed every second of it in order to learn what the road passes by." ~ Dag Hammarskjold, Markings
I’m in awe of the fact that this is already my third year at Cedarville. This is the third time I’ve made the 8-hour drive from Iowa, the third time I’ve moved into a different dorm room and plastered the walls with pictures, and the third time I’ve begun a new season of volleyball at the collegiate level.
I love this quote because it so well defines what I feel life is, especially for each of us on the CU women’s volleyball team of 2009. We’re all at different moments in our journey; from newly-married seniors to timid freshmen, each of us is looking forward to the months to come and remembering the months that have passed. And in everything, we have needed (and will need) every second of it to continue to grow us into the young women God desires us to be.
Pre-season started August 2nd with a night meeting that included the entire team watching the movie "Facing the Giants." It’s good to be back with the girls, and to welcome five new freshmen that will be the driving force behind our switch to NCAA Division II over the next three years.
The movie was a great way to start off the year, and has already given us multiple quotes such as "prepare your fields," "Woooowww!!!" and "Oh my WORD!".
Fact #1 about the volleyball team: we have multiple funny quotes we use from different funny experiences we’ve had together. Other examples include: "What’s that scent? Is it scented?" "Put some spicy mustard on it!" And, "the air is thin in Denver". (Most quotes are from either Emilie Lynch or Coach Walters)
We practiced three times a day for the first two weeks of pre-season, taking time to work a banquet and also spend the day together that Sunday enjoying some pool time and ice cream at Young’s. Pre-season is always an intense time, and this one has been no exception. But my teammates will tell you that each second of running is worth it in the end, because it allows us to continue to push when the tournaments get long and we begin to get tired.
Our intense two weeks were capped by a journey to the Ohio Women’s Reformatory, about an hour from Cedarville. We went there August 15th and were delighted to spend the morning playing against the prison volleyball team and then bonding with them after we stopped playing.
Each of us was surprised by the friendliness and love of the inmates, and are very thankful for the opportunity we had to go and encourage them and love on them. We’re attempting to talk Coach into making this a tradition we do more than once a year, it was such a great time.
After scrimmages at our home vs. Shawnee State and Columbus State on Tuesday, we headed to Wilmington College last Thursday for another scrimmage. These scrimmages were good opportunities to work out the kinks before our first tournament at Grace this past weekend.
The first day of the tournament was still a little rough at the beginning, working out the chemistry between players, and we ended up losing our first match to Indiana-Southeast. We finished the day by beating Huntington in four; things finally started to gel.
Saturday morning posed a challenge, losing in three close sets to Indiana University-East, who ended up winning the tournament. We finished the day against Grace, beating them in four sets, a win we’re praying will give us confidence heading into the rest of the season.
The season is just getting started, and we’re excited for what is to come. We travel to Taylor University on Tuesday and are looking forward to some good competition. God is good and faithful, and we’re each very thankful for the opportunities we have to glorify Him with our actions this season.
Prayer Requests:
- Classes are underway now which brings a lot more stress to each of us. Pray that we can stay focused and get things done in time. And, pray our freshmen don’t get too overwhelmed.
- Pray consistently for the teams we face each week. Volleyball is an amazing opportunity to witness, so pray that our team has a good, united testimony that honors the name of Christ well.
- Our team’s major need is confidence when we play. We have the personnel, we have the abilities, we just need the knowledge that we can do it. Pray that our team can continue to unify, to learn how to play with each other, and that we can truly give it all to the Lord this season.
- Emily Shade’s husband, Aaron, is currently stationed in Southern Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines and will likely be there for the remainder of the season. He’s expected home around Christmas. Please pray that they are kept safe, that they are able to do the work they’re given and help the people over there, and finally that Emily will have strength to face each day with confidence and trust in the Lord in regard to her husband. Oh, and we’re praying that Aaron gets the chance to call her soon.
Kylee Husak is a junior middle hitter from Mount Vernon, Iowa. The NCCAA All-American is a Dean’s List psychology and comprehensive Bible double major at Cedarville University.
