Monday, August 11, 2025

Painful realities - SW version

 The reality is... both my kids are not physically built for volleyball... the one competitive sport they love.

SW has always had a giant heart.  Sweet Siu Wah.  Always looking out for others.  Never talking back.  Loves reading Garfield, but his first comment will be, "I feel bad for Odie." Life was never easy for him... but he's a fighter.  And I tried to arm him with all the tools needed to fight.

I purposely trained him to be a setter cuz that's a coveted spot regardless of height  And yet... it's still not good enough with setters these days being 5'8 - 5'9.  So he goes and tries out for lib... a position he's never played.   Last weekend... each of his friends and former teammates slowly got offers during the pre-tryouts.  Yes... they're good, but not great.  And one at a time... the numbers increased while SW just sat and wait.  

This weekend as the official tryouts... wasn't even worth going.  The whole weekend... driving from one gym to the next trying to maximize opportunities to shine.  "Coaches aren't even looking.  Whenever they're on my court, I'm in line."  The one club that all his friends want to play for... nothing.  The worst part is... the 3rd string setter from his old team made it.  3rd string!!!! SW is the setter-1.... and he got relegated to the 15-2's team.  Horrible.  Then on Sunday night... he and Kyle tried out for one last time.  SW told me he got an offer 15 minutes into the tryouts - which is great!! Someone recognized his talents.  But he turned it down... cuz the other players were bad.

Later that night... Kyle also turned down the offer thinking maybe his friend will come back to his original club with him.  Only to find out... Kyle is joining the rest of his friends at that new club.  I didn't know about this until the next morning when Joyce texted me and said, "SW was super sad last night."  I was completely drained.  Couldn't pay attention in the meeting.  Just sank in my seat and stared into space.

Why.... why do my kids have to go through this punishment??? Aren't they too young for such disappointment? Can't they form teams and play with their friends?? Why can't I have a bigger influence and sway... make my voice be heard in the volleyball community?? I hate this.  I hate the fact the kids have to go through this.  Yes... this will make them stronger.  Yes... eventually they'll have to face this.  And yes... they'll probably have a chip on their shoulder now which they can use in life in other ways. 

The silver lining is... SW did make it back to his old team and he'll probably have good playing time.  While most of his friends went to the new club... I'm confident SW can make new friends.  And there was also another TKA friend who recently discovered love for vball... .that has zero offers.  Those parents are going through what we went through 2 years ago.  And I get to advise them on next steps.  So hopefully... there'll be a happy ending for everyone.  But right now... that knife in my heart simply won't go away

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