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Ashlee Horvath
T
Jordan
Birdsong
Laura
Cade
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Victory is a club,
With teams that are unique,
We have great girls and,
The Lord is who we seek.
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We've come so far,
There is a long way to go!
We work really hard,
And it's really shows!
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Crosses on our backs,
Passion in our hearts.
Aggression come out,
Before the game starts.
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We have learned so much,
Playing hard to the very end,
We're giving it our best,
To play great and to win!
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Of course we play to win,
But there’s something more.
Something some athletes,
Tend to just ignore.
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Sure we made it here,
But that's not good enough.
We always give it our best,
And show them our stuff!
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We strive to learn more,
About God and the game.
We wear our crosses proud,
Not once are we ashamed.
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Play how we play.
Cheer really loud.
Glorify God.
Make Victory proud!
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No matter what,
After every game we pray.
No matter how awful,
Or amazing that we play.
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We Live to Win,
And for Him we play,
Loving the Life we have,
Every single day.
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It's been a long road,
Of no water breaks and screams,
Really hard practices,
All to achieve our dreams. |
We are a family,
And always will be.
We live, laugh and learn,
To achieve our VICTORY! |
Libby
Titterington
16 Elite
Live to Win. What did that mean to me? Did it mean living for Him? It could
mean living to win at all costs, striving the extra mile and reaping the
rewards. It could mean living to win the eternal prize, everlasting life
with god after a lifetime of happiness and success. When I came to Victory,
I was confused about my life and needed to play somewhere. I came so far,
from receiving the last offer and stranger to a starting libero for a team
that I could only watch in awe in the past. I watched as the team played for
a higher goal, to qualify, to win for god with everthing; every feeling in
them. I never doubted for a second this season, my first at Victory, that we
weren't giving it a 110%. I felt happy knowing i left a piece on me on every
court, I left every mistake and every great dig on that individual court and
moved on. I remember crying in Colorado when we lost and took 9th, I
remember crying at Lonestar when we took 2nd, and crying in Minnesota when
we took 5th. But i didn't cry when we lost at regionals. God had bigger
plans for our team ahead, and we want to go to AAU. We want to continue
together into the future with plans of playing big and giving it everything
we have-- and that's something I am proud of and plan to return to in my
years ahead.
Olivia Kleyer
16 National
A
goal early on in my volleyball career was to play for Victory Volleyball
Club. The moment I received an offer to play on 16 National I knew all my
hard work had paid off. My involvement with Victory has been my best club
experience, and I am hoping to continue to grow with the Victory family. Our
team began with eight complete strangers, from eight different high schools,
with eight different personalities. It then grew to eleven girls, all with
one goal: get a bid to nationals. Although we faced many challenges and had
a rocky start with unusual circumstances, we were determined to make it a
successful season. We banded together
as a team; something I was not familiar with. Even though it would have been
nice to qualify for nationals, we did end up placing 1st in silver at
Regionals. I’d say we had a successful season.
Allison Seager
15 Elite
I
am Allison Seager and I play on Victory 15 Elite.
This is my first year playing at Victory and I have loved it.
I have played at a couple other clubs but what makes Victory the best
is that here we are playing for God.
At Victory I have not only improved myself as a player but also as a
Christian. I have learned
to play my best not just for myself but also for Christ, to endure in
not only volleyball but also my faith, to have confidence in myself and in
God, and to not just train in volleyball but to train my heart and mind for
God. When my team and I step
onto the court we might be playing for each other, our coaches, our club,
maybe our parents or ourselves but most importantly we are all playing for
Jesus Christ. What sets Victory
apart is that we are trained physically, mentally and spiritually to become
the best volleyball players we can be.
Jenay
Pressly
15 Elite
Team Building = Character Building = VICTORY
I really never thought about volleyball as a character builder. Having
played volleyball both in school and club for several years, I was familiar
with the standard drills, positions, and plays. I then came to Victory. I
experienced growth not only as a player, but as a person, both mentally and
spiritually. I saw a group of unknown girls (now close friends) come
together to form a team. We literally built something where there was
nothing. Was it hard? Yes…actually very hard. Was it fun? Not all the time.
Did we win every time? No, but we did get better every single game. It may
have not been obvious to everyone (including our parents!), but we knew. We
knew what it was like to lose and we did not like it. We also knew the
excitement of winning and doing well. I can tell you one thing, whether we
won or lost, we felt good about ourselves. We felt good that we tried our
best and accepted the results. I really never understood that before – but I
do now. I understand that a winner is not only the team that came in 1st,
but the team who can look around at themselves and think, hey, I am proud of
what we just accomplished and feel good to be a part of it.
We’ve just come off the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis where we
played the best games of our Victory season, landing in the Top 10 – and
beating a team that had already won a bid! This is where we really felt that
excitement of winning and of pulling together as a team. We know that we can
do it! We are now looking forward to Regionals and continuing on with the
team WE built!
What does Victory mean to me? It is my faith to believe in myself, my team,
and my commitment to do the best I can do each and every time my feet hit
that court.
Courtney
Williams
14 Elite
Victory Volleyball Club is very special to me. I have grown so much as
a Christian and learned how to use my Christian values in volleyball.
The cross-training and prayer after our games remind me that God is present
in every part of my life. I am a Christian on the court and off.
Whether we win or lose, we still play to win and live to win. I use
the stories from Cross-training to motivate me to do better and know that I
can accomplish any goal with faith in God and a willingness to work hard. I
started playing for Victory in 2007 on the 12-Elite team. I didn't
have a lot of experience or full knowledge of my skills, but as I started
the season I learned so much that I couldn't wait until my next practice,
game, tournament, etc. The coaches push us to our limits because they know
what we can accomplish as a team. My team mates and I have shared
values in our love of God, love of the game and love of each other. We not
only play to win, but we sometimes just like to play. Whether it's
talking, laughing, singing, or texting, we have fun together and support
each other. Victory coaches care about our athletic development and
volleyball IQ but also our spiritual growth. When I was asked to write
about my Victory experience, I was surprised but also happy, because it
gives me a chance to say thank you to the great Victory coaches who have
inspired me to do better. My team mates and their parents are all
great and I am so blessed to be a part of Victory 14E. When I put on
the Victory uniform with the cross, it reminds me that Jesus died on the
cross for me, and I want to play my best for Him and always give Him my
best.
Carrigan
Blagburn
Victory 13
Elite
What do you
consider a great club? Good coaches? Solid teams? Well, I’ve learned from my
years at Victory that Victory has all of these and more. The coaches are
amazing and help you improve every practice. The teams are all amazing with
solid players that have fun and play hard at the same time. To have a good
team you have to have these aspects, of course, but the one thing that
separates Victory and any other club is the love for the LORD. Every single
person in the program has a love for God and the joy of the LORD. Before
each of our practices we have cross training and the coaches help us learn
how to be Christian athletes and put these together instead of them being
two different lives.
Not only do we have love for Christ, but we are all like sisters. At
every tournament there are always teams that are scattered in pairs or even
people that are hanging out with other teams. But I like to compare our team
to a wolf pack, we stick together no matter what. Through hard and easy
times we encourage each other and we have each other’s back.
Our coach, Julie Vordenbaum, has great ways to help us stay focused
through the game. For example, the “game of 3”. This helps us stay focused
on the next three points and helps us also win the mental game so we don’t
have to battle two people, the other teams and ourselves. Also she has
themes for tournament weekends that help keep our minds on our goal. For The
Northern Lights tournament our theme was “ putting on the armor of God and
going to battle.” We went to battle for sure! We played our hardest even
with a missing player. I’ve been with Victory for
three years and could never see me switching clubs. I have had a great
experience with all of my teams and coaches; and will have memories forever
engraved on my heart.
“No shoulda, coulda, woulda’s “
Allie Arnold
13 National
Playing for Victory has changed the way I play volleyball both physically
and emotionally. I started off
my year playing setter in middle school.
After that, I knew I never wanted to play any other position.
When we got into club season, my coach put me at middle hitter.
I had never considered myself a hitter because I didn’t exactly have
good hops or a good swing.
Throughout this entire season, I’ve seen myself improve in ways I’d never
thought possible. Playing middle
is the most fun I’ve ever had playing the sport.
My
teammates and my coaches are a huge part of why I love Victory.
Playing with them every week is incredible.
During practice, they make me laugh as much as I breathe and they
challenge me to play harder and harder with every drill.
I’ve grown so close to all the girls on my team, and with their
amazing and different personalities, it’s hard not to love them.
My coaches are the best coaches I’ve ever had.
This season, they’ve taught us all to play aggressively but smart and
never forget the abilities that we have that make us all great players.
Most importantly, Victory has taught me to play every game for Christ.
Wearing the cross on my back has brought me joy in knowing that in
every point we score, we bring glory to Him.
When other teams see us, they see a great group of girls whose
talents come together to make up a beastly team. But most importantly, they
see us as a group of girls with an enormous amount of faith and dedication.
I’ll always remember my Victory experience.
The teamwork, leadership, and the desire to glorify Christ will stay
with me forever, on and off the court.
Sydnie Bodnar
13 National
The
friendships, the spirit, the guidance, it’s all found in victory volleyball.
Prior to
playing for
Victory, if someone asked me to define the word “Victory” I would have
said “ It’s
the outcome of a game when you have beaten the other opponent.” Now
that I have
almost finished my first season with Victory Volleyball Club, I realize
that the word
Victory means so much more than just winning. In order to be
Victorious,
you have to have teamwork, togetherness, support and encouragement.
If we apply
all these things, even if the score doesn’t show a win, we have won and
grown as a
team. Victory has taught me so much and encouraged me to strive to
work as hard
as I can not just for myself but more importantly for my teammates.
After every
practice, we do something called cross training. This is the
time our
coaches connect our game with God. Although I consider myself a
faithful
person, I had never thought about how God could affect how I play a
sport. My
coaches, Coach Heidi and Coach Mandy, have been an amazing example
of the
importance of connecting all of our time given to play volleyball with
the Lord.
There is so much love, trust, and belief around the “Victory” courts.
I will cherish
my experience, my friendships gained and fun times I have had with
the victory
volleyball club. Not only have I made friends with my teammates, I have
made
friendships with so many other Victory players. Victory is like a second
family
and I hope to
be a part of the Victory family for a long time!
Emma
Tecklenburg
12 Elite
My
experience with Victory has been wonderful.
It should also encourage any player that has doubts about her ability
to keep pursuing her dream. I
made the Victory 12 Elite team after a really rough tryout. The tryouts were
tough for me and I was hoping to make the Victory 12 Elite Team. When we got
the results, most of my friends made the team, I was an alternate. I
actually ended up being put on the team because a spot opened up. I remember
the coaches saying, “All of you deserve to be on this team, and you are here
for a reason.” I remember thinking that I wasn’t chosen to be on the team, I
just got lucky.
Coach Kyla and Coach Steve made the season so enjoyable for me, they made me
feel like an important part of the team and that I had something to
contribute. They gave me the same opportunities as the rest of the team to
earn a starting position. I earned my playing time.
This year has been a great year with Victory. Our 12’s team has many
wonderful girls, who put in extra work to help our team be successful. We
are all great friends, which makes it fun and easier to play together.
Victory gave me the chance to prove I could be a better player. I think
Victory offers great opportunities for players that began the season like I
did. There is hope for every single player on the court to be their best.
Victory brings out the best in their players.
I
feel very blessed to be part of this club; part of this family. I’ve been
part of this club for two years, two great years. I hope to play with
Victory for as long as possible.
"For the Lord your God is going with you!
He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!"
-Deuteronomy 20:4 (NLT)
Morgan Seidl
12 Elite
My
name is Morgan Seidl and I play with Victory 12 Elite.
I am a 3rd year club player, but this is my first year with Victory.
My first experience with Victory happened my first year of club.
At one tournament, my team played against a Victory 12s team, and we
lost. After the game, the
Victory players came over to my team in the snack area and told us we had
played well. Even though we had
lost to them, it made us feel good that they would say that to us.
I love my team. I love my
coaches. I love the whole
Victory family. Playing for
Victory is awesome! I love
playing for God, cheering for God and at the same time we are having fun
with good experiences. When we
walk on the court, we are committing ourselves to our team and to Christ.
Pain is temporary, Pride is forever!
Jordan Fate
12 Elite
I
have been with Victory for 2 years and I LUV it!
I have learned life lessons through the devotionals, and how to be a
good teammate and leader. I have
had the opportunity to be a leader/captain on both teams.
It is a big responsibility but the coaches and teammates are there to
support you. Victory really
prepares you conditionally, skills wise and mentally.
Every coach works with you and takes you into consideration.
They work on your skills and where you are weak at to make you
stronger. They really make sure
you are mentally focused on the game and understand who you are playing for.
Victory shows everyone we use “HIM” (Heart, Intensity, Mind) to play
the sport we love. This club wants
you well conditioned so you are not tired for 3 day tournaments so that you
can push through the tough times. Victory is like a family where all the
players and coaches get along.
They support and cheer on everyone. Each coach (even if they don’t coach
your team), will be there to help you at anytime.
Victory is a good, safe and comforting club that is open to anyone.
Go Victory 12 Elite!
THE FOLLOWING IS A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES WRITTEN BY OUR VICTORY PLAYERS.
EACH DESCRIBES WHAT COMPETING AT THE USA JR. OLYPMIC NATIONAL TOURNAMENT MEANS TO THEM.
Lucy Tweedie, Hannah , Bailey Martin, and Laura Jones “Road to Nationals”
Lucy
Tweedie is a middle blocker and member of our 14 Elite team. Here are
her thoughts about her Road to Nationals.
As the season pushed on, we just kept getting better and better. We went
from 8th place, all the way up to winning 1st in a
15’s tournament! We all flipped that switch in our head saying hey, why not
go all out?! Our practices moved on and we definitely hit a few bumps in the
road but nothing stopped us from qualifying in Minnesota for nationals.
Right now we are going into nationals and looking at it straight in the eye
knowing that this is our chance to shine and to do what we know to do.
Eleven names will forever be imprinted into my heart and soul; Hannah,
Kendall, Annabelle, Madison, CC, Brooke, Bailey, Shannon, Julie, Kayla, and
Tony. This is the best team and family I will ever have and I am looking
forward to blowing everyone away at Nationals in Miami baby!
One heart, one voice, one team.
Miami via B.O.S.T.O.N!
- Lucy Tweedie, Victory 14 Elite
When I think about going to Miami, I think about competing against the best
of the best. There comes a time in every tournament when we come up against
the best of the best. When the whistle blows and we’ve wished the other
talented team good luck, you can tell that each and every team member is
ready to compete and wants to play. Everyone picks up their play, the
consistency and attention to detail increases, we talk a lot more and even
the basic look of the team becomes more intense. You can even sense a
different level of anticipation from the parents sitting on the sidelines.
We all start to shoot for the goal, and that is to win. We may not always
achieve it, but when we're up against the best we bring the best.
Getting the bid for Nationals didn’t come from just training physically, it
came from training mentally. I know that our team had plenty of both. Every
practice you walk out dripping in sweat but the satisfied that you got a lot
better. We don’t just walk out of practice with tired muscles and stinky
uniforms we also walk out with mental training homework. To you this might
seem a bit ridiculous and random, but I can tell you from actually doing it,
it has helped my game more that I could ever imagine. The mental training
played a huge role in being able to compete with the best of the best.
All the training we have done has earned us the right to call ourselves the
best of the best. It’s not only a huge accomplishment, but also a
privilege. We know this isn’t an everyday chance, and we’re going to work
like we never knew we could work. Most teams just set a goal. But we're
going to set it and achieve it. Miami via Boston baby!
“Road to Nationals”
by Bailey Martin
One of our highlights this season was coming in first place in the Hop It Up
Tournament while we were playing up in the 15’s division. All year, we
have been ranked in the top 6 of our region and we have improved with each
qualifier. In Minnesota, we were able to get our national bid to
Miami. It was a great feeling and we all hugged and celebrated.
Another highlight of our season was during the Team Cup tournament in
Austin. One of our players was unable to make the trip, and another
player got sick the morning of the tournament. Then, during the first
game of the day, one of our outside hitters came down and twisted her ankle.
We were left with only 6 players and no subs, and we were playing one of our
biggest rivals all year. We all played with our hearts, and everyone
went all out staying point for point, until it ended up going 24-26 in favor
of the other team. Despite the score, it was a true testimony of our
strength and commitment as a team. We truly lived up to our team motto
that day….One Heart, One Voice, One Team! Miami via B.O.S.T.O.N. baby!
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When
I first came to Victory in my 14’s year I just came to play with a group of
my friends and for a coach that moved to Victory. So I was basically
there by accident playing for Victory. I didn’t know much about the
club, all I knew was that it was a Christian volleyball club. Over the
past two years that I have been at Victory, I have dramatically changed, as
a player and a person. I have become more religious with all the
devotionals and prayer time after every game, and as a result, I feel closer
to Christ. One thing that I have learned, and continue to learn by
being a part of my Victory team, is how to show leadership. I have
learned to not play just for me, but to play for my teammates, my coaches,
the club, and most importantly Christ. I learned what the real meaning
of teamwork is. I now know not to give up even when I’m tired and that
it’s in these moments that I need to take it upon myself to do the job.
Right now I am on 15 Elite Ryan with ten other teammates and two coaches.
My coach right now is Coach Ryan, he is also one of the directors at
Victory. He is the hardest, most disciplined coach I have ever had.
He has taught us so much about teamwork and leadership this year. We
are on the road to nationals right now and although it’s a huge challenge to
prepare physically and mentally, we all know that our efforts will be
rewarded. We have hard practices but we know that they will pay off
for our performance at nationals.
I just came out of a two and a half month injury, and I find myself more
prepared and motivated than ever. At first I had a mental struggle not being
able to play and knowing that this injury would affect this club season.
During this injury I found comfort from my teammates letting me know I was
ok and would get better soon. The one main thing I learned was to have
patience and not rush into things. I have learned how to still be a
part of this team even when I’m not able to play.
Victory has had a positive influence on me in so many
ways. This is the best club I have ever played for. It has made
me grow spiritually, mentally, and physically.
PEAK PERFORMANCE 8
“Serve Deep”
by Shelley Small
The serving game in volleyball has changed a great deal over the years.
A few years back, it didn’t matter too much if you missed a serve.
Besides the obvious blow to your momentum, a missed serve only
resulted in a side out.
Serving is more aggressive now, and it can set the pace of a game in
a hurry. It can be an offensive
weapon and a defense destroyer.
Still, it may not be the most significant part of volleyball, but serving is
one of the most crucial parts of our Christian walk.
The ultimate Servant role model is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 20:28 says, “. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To our earthly eyes, seeing the King of Kings in the role of a
servant might be odd. That’s
who He is, who He wants us to be. . . and certainly who He was on the cross.
One of the many servants and heroes of September 11 was a young man
named Welles Crowther. After a
jet flew into the South Tower, Welles was determined to save as many people
as he could. For 76 minutes,
the former lacrosse player from Boston College (who spent much of his time
on the field feeding the puck to other players so THEY could score) gave
orders to people he didn’t know, reassuring them that he could lead the way
to safety. As he ran in and out
of the building delivering people down and out of the stairwells, he didn’t
have any protection against the smoke and fumes of thousands of gallons of
burning jet fuel except his signature red bandana.
Ever since Welles was a little boy, he had carried a red bandana.
It helped him immensely as he made his way down from the 104th floor,
grabbing shocked and frightened strangers along the way, and even carrying
an injured woman on his back down 15 flights of stairs.
Welles made the ultimate sacrifice that day, helping others live as
he lost his life.
Our opportunities to be servants aren’t typically as intense or
life-threatening. We do have
daily chances to live and serve like Jesus though -- especially as athletes.
If you want to see a real-life example of servant hood -- one that
you could learn from and imitate, look no further than Victory Coach Mike
Laughlin. The man lives to
serve, seeking out opportunities to do so before ever being asked.
He’s the first to respond, and the last to take credit (I didn’t ask
his permission to write about him -- I thought I’d just ask for
forgiveness!). He does
everything without being asked, from cleaning up other team’s messes to
filling the gap whenever and wherever it may be.
Mike Laughlin has a sincere servant’s heart and daily lives the “I’m
Third” lifestyle: God first,
others second, I’m third.
2 Timothy 2:21 says, “So if anyone purifies himself from these
things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master,
prepared for every good work.”
Being a servant in today’s selfish, “me first” world can certainly set you
apart. Servant hood goes
against the very direction our society points us in.
Dare to be different – dare to serve . . . and to serve deep.
"Center Stage"
by Shelley Small
In high school, I was asked on more than one occasion to list the top
priorities in my life. Like a
good kid, I knew exactly what to write.
God, family, friends, school, sports – I wasn’t exactly sure what all
that looked like, but I knew my list was “correct.”
I found out my senior year that while God was at the top of my list,
He wasn’t really at the top of my game.
If I’d been a little wiser and more spiritually mature, I would’ve been able
to see that I used God when it was convenient, rather than putting Him in
the center of each area in my life.
I was all about sports in high school.
“What’s your favorite sport?” people would ask.
“What season is it?” I
would answer. I lived and
breathed working out and competing – especially in volleyball.
My high school has always had a strong volleyball program, and my
senior year was the strongest it had ever been.
We had the chance of a lifetime to make it to the state tournament in
Austin that year, and we were more than confident that we’d do it.
I couldn’t imagine anyone working any harder than we did to achieve
success. Our practices would
begin each morning at 5:45, and if our coach was feeling particularly
generous, she might let us go by 9:00 so we could get cleaned up for class.
She pushed us to the edges of ourselves and sometimes intimidated us,
scaring us into winning. We did
experience losing a match here and there – those bus rides home were lessons
in “How to Get Close to God in a Hurry,” but the “morning after” practices
were enough to make us want to switch sports.
By the time the district season was over, we had built a winning
momentum that we knew would take us right down I-35 to Austin.
We had a few obstacles to get past in the meantime.
The first one was a district championship playoff game with Nimitz
High School. We’d had a
long-time rivalry with this team, and we couldn’t wait to face them before
advancing in the playoffs. Our
practices had gotten even more intense and grueling, but it was paying off.
On the day we were to meet Nimitz, our principal called us all down
to his office. He was a loyal
fan of ours, and we loved to make him happy.
We walked as a united team (with the exception of one teammate who
was missing for some reason) to his office, anticipating his pre-game
speech, that he’d tell us how proud he was, and that he’d promise to be in
the stands that evening. But
his office was dark and had a heavy feeling to it when we walked in, his
face distraught and tense. This
sure didn’t feel like the pep talk we were expecting.
He said he had some bad news. I
remember thinking, “How bad could it be?
Just tell us and let’s move on.
We’ve got a game to win.”
After pausing and trying to choose the right words, he informed us
that he and our coach had been looking through academic records that day,
and they had found something that wasn’t right.
As I looked around at my teammates, I noticed that nothing was
registering with any of us.
“Girls, we have found an ineligible player on the team.
We will have to forfeit all the matches she played in.”
Still attempting to make this whole scene “OK,” I desperately tried
to figure out how much this girl had played.
It hit us all at the same time:
we’d been so far ahead in all of our matches, this player managed to
get into every single game, if only for a point or two.
In less than thirty seconds, our season was over.
Our high school careers were finished.
The dream that the seniors had been chasing for three years was
pulled right out from under us.
As an eighteen year old who had poured my entire heart and body into
volleyball, this was utter devastation.
In fact, I was unable to even speak about it for the next five years.
Why would God allow this to happen?
I was a good kid – I went to church and youth group and Young Life
and Campaigners and FCA. My
priority list was right, wasn’t it?
I didn’t drink or party.
In fact, my friends would always drop me off first on Friday nights.
My morals were high, my standards were solid, and I’d only gotten in
trouble once (that’s another story
J).
What else did He want?
About six years later, I figured out what He had wanted.
As I stood on a stage in Kerrville, Texas, preparing to speak to
about 500 college athletes at an FCA conference, I realized that this
devastating event would be a big part of my testimony.
God hadn’t wanted to be at the top of some useless priority list,
only to be called upon when the score was tied in a tight match or when I
thought I couldn’t run one more sprint at 6:15 in the morning.
God wanted to be in the center of EVERY SINGLE PART OF MY LIFE.
He wanted to be the foundation of my family and my friendships, the
center of the choices I made on Friday nights and the only One in the stands
during wins AND losses. He
wanted to be my reason for playing and not the last resort if my team was
behind. He wanted – and
deserved to be – center stage in my life . . . in every single area of my
life.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given to you as well.”
When we really and truly put God first in everything we are and do,
the blessings He will give us will be more than we could ever hope for.
"My Commitment as a Christian Athlete"
by Allie Rankin, 17 Elite
It’s my honor and privilege to step aside for this next Peak Performance and
have you all see the heart and the talent of one of our own players, Allie
Rankin. Allie plays on our 17
Elite team, and as you’ll see in her devotional which follows,
she shows the true core of Victory Volleyball Club.
We’re so proud of Allie’s contributions on and off the court, and so
thankful that she has allowed us to understand her passion for being a
Christian athlete. Thanks,
Allie!
My
Commitment as a Christian Athlete
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is
faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds." Hebrews 10: 23-24
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need
to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive
what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming
will come and will not delay." Hebrews 10: 35-37
Hebrews 10: 19-38 Calls us to persevere in Christ Jesus and so we are called
to persevere as athletes in His name. We are called to have confidence and
spur our teammates on.
Therefore as a Christian Athlete. I am part of the fellowship of the team.
I have Holy Spirit Power. The game has begun. I have stepped onto the court.
The decision has been made. I play for Him. I won't look back, let up, slow
down,
stop pedaling, or be still!
I am finished and done with slow movement, heartless dreams, smooth knees,
tamed passion,
silence, weakness, selfish ambition, and small aspirations.
I no longer need glory, fame, or popularity.
I play for the One
and His team. I don't need to
be recognized for my achievements, but
I achieve none the less. I play
for Him and for the team. I
lean on my girls,
my sisters, and prepare with prayer.
I am ready! I believe as I reach for the prize, knowing the goal extends
past today. Though the road is
long and sometimes rough, we know our mission is clear.
Our heart and our dreams cannot be compromised, lured away, turned away,
or delayed. It's GAME DAY! I
will execute and not expect less than the best from them.
I will not hesitate or ponder at the pool of self righteousness or of past
mistakes.
I WON'T STOP! I won't give up, shut up, let up until I have passed up, set
up, stayed up, prayed
up, and played up for the cause of Christ and OUR TEAM!
I am a Christian Athlete.
I play until the end, give until I drop, pass to the spot, set and never
stop, and
I hit to see their jaws drop! And when they see us play, they will know us
by our DESIRE, our HEART,
Our LOVE, and our WILL to WIN FOR HIM!
"Run the Race"
No
one ever sets out in a race to lose – no one intentionally sets herself up
for failure. But have you ever
taken part in something where you didn’t give your COMPLETE effort?
Maybe it was a scrimmage or a practice, a local tournament or even a
national
qualifier
– or maybe it was even a conflict with a teacher or friend.
Seeing the outcomes of those situations might make you
wish you could do them over again.You might go for that ball that dropped
just outside your reach, you might warm up a little more intensely; maybe
you’d put in a few more minutes of preparation for that test or speak more
kindly to your friend. If we
could just see ahead to what our actions produced, I imagine we’d all do
many things a whole lot differently.
God has put us in this race called “life,” not to watch us stumble and fall,
but to be our coach every step of the way.
We are to “run with perseverance the race marked out before us.”
That’s a mighty task, but one that God has fully equipped us to perform.
We don’t always get a second chance in life like we might in a volleyball
match, so we need to approach each day as a race – running in a way that
shows our total effort and commitment in EVERYTHING we do.
In volleyball, we are called to play to honor God and give “all-out”
effort on every ball: TOTAL
RELEASE.
I Corinthians 9:24-27 says:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives
the prize? Run in such a way
that you may win. And everyone
who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Therefore I run
in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the
air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have
preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
In
other words, expend all your energy and all your efforts in everything you
do. Play in a way that sets you
apart from others. Your rewards
on earth will be special, but your rewards in heaven will reach far beyond
anything you could imagine.
When I was at Baylor, I wrote a song to all the athletes there who were
involved in FCA. It was called
“Run to Finish.”
The race started The minute you said “go”
The day you opened up your heart to Him Now everybody’s watching
It’s a long, hard road ahead But you’ve got the drive, you’ve got the desire
So run that race for Him
Fix your eyes on Jesus Don’t you ever look down
Break through those barriers of sin Jesus endured the cross
And we can endure the trials Run the race Run to finish
No one said That it would be easy
The narrow road is the harder one, you see The finish line
Seems almost unattainable But He’ll give you the strength
He’ll light your way So give it all you’ve got
Fix your eyes on Jesus Don’t you ever look down
Break through those barriers of sin Jesus endured the cross
And we can endure the trials Run the race Run to finish
It’s crunch-time for most of us.
We’ve all seen goals reached and some we’re still reaching for.
We’ve got to leave everything on the court when we play, and have NO
regrets.
With a few weeks to go, let’s all play to win, honor God, and run that race
with endurance and perseverance.
I'm a Believer
by Shelley Small
A few years ago, there was a rag-tag group of softball players who were
struggling through another season of losses.
They were the first team to participate in the fast-pitch program at
their 5A high school, so they were competing against more experienced,
well-established teams across the area.
The majority of these players hadn’t played fast-pitch for long; in
fact, some of them hadn’t even been in athletic programs at all.
Their coach was in the same boat they were:
she had been a college volleyball player and coach and had only
played fast-pitch softball a few times.
The school and the community had been waiting for years to start a
fast-pitch program, and the expectations to succeed were high.
Needless to say, there were many people who were less than excited to
know that a former volleyball player was taking the helm as the softball
coach.
While losing most of their games the first two seasons, the coach and her
players learned a great deal and challenged each other to take a step
forward, even in defeat. The
coach never stopped encouraging her players.
She motivated them to reach beyond their potentials, pushed them to
work out in bitter cold weather when all the other outdoor teams had gone
home, made them participate in weight training and work on cardiovascular
endurance when they didn’t understand the point, and believed in them even
when their parents and the community wouldn’t.
She assured them that they could beat ANYONE.
While that seemed a little crazy at first, the players gradually
began to believe her. They
adopted the story of David and Goliath and prided themselves on being the “Davids”
of the district. They relished
their role as the underdog, and by the end of that second season, they were
gaining a confidence that would pick up steam and momentum through the
following season.
“Expect to Win” became the motto for the third season – the senior year for
many of the team members. They
didn’t just HOPE to play well or not be embarrassed; they didn’t just HOPE
to come close to beating the good teams; they EXPECTED to win every single
game, even if they were the less talented team.
What they lacked in talent, they made up for in hard work, positive
attitudes, and unselfish character.
With the countless hours of training in the weight room, the miles
around the track, the practices on the windy, cold field in the dead of
winter, this team had sacrificed a great deal and were beginning to silence
the line of critics who surrounded the program like a chain link fence.
More importantly, they were proving to themselves that they really
were winners!
When it was all said and done, that bunch of recreational softball players
worked their way from being the doormat of the district to playing in the 5A
Regional Semifinals, ranked 9th in the state of Texas.
They didn’t get there by some miracle or fluke.
They got there by believing in themselves and each other and by
taking to heart the positive words of encouragement from their coach.
They became a TEAM who lived by this quote:
“A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of herself
and her contributions to praise the skills of others.”
If you’ve ever had a bad game, or played a much stronger, more talented
team, or if you’ve ever felt your team’s mistakes spiraling out of control,
try the one thing that doesn’t take any skill:
ENCOURAGEMENT. Paul
encouraged the Corinthians, even when their behavior didn’t warrant it.
Jesus encouraged Noah to keep building, even when there wasn’t a
cloud in the sky. In Jeremiah
29:11, Jesus encourages us, too:
“I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.
I will give you hope and a good future.”
That’s the greatest encouragement we could ever receive.
Stay positive. Encourage each
other, even if you don’t feel 100%.
Be a believer – in yourself and in your teammates, no matter what the
scoreboard says.
“Great thoughts coupled with intense actions produce unbelievable results.”
Just ask those softball players.
Winning and Losing
by Shelley Small
However, ANY team risks failure by entering the contest in the first place.
Some athletes play it safe:
they play to NOT LOSE – to just maintain.
This philosophy makes them think that they’ll never be losers, but
they do remain very average, very mediocre. Sometimes a team has to suffer a
number of losses in learning what it takes to win.
If in the process of losing, they LEARN their weaknesses and learn
areas that need to be strengthened, as they continue to work these areas
each week, they will improve and not stay “average.”
The characteristic of a winning team is this:
a group of players who are willing to lose everything, playing with
reckless abandon – with all they have – to lose themselves that their team
might win. Nobody can perform
like that and still remain average.
God does not want us to do anything in a “lukewarm” or average manner,
including the way in which we compete.
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing
greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all
things. I consider them rubbish
that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3:7-8
In reality, there is definitely a great deal more at stake than just
winning a match, but while we’re here let’s be the kinds of athletes that
exemplify how God wants us to compete in life.
“Live Out Loud”
by Shelley Small
There’s a catchy song that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a few years ago
called, “Live Out Loud.” It’s
one of those fist-pumping, acoustic guitar-driven tunes that you can’t shake
out of your skull. Being a
musician, I often “listen past” the lyrics to the instrumental parts of
songs, but these words caught my attention.
We live in a loud society, turning up the volume on dials all around us to
drown out the noise of something else.
We can’t pull up to a stoplight without feeling the pulsating bass of
the stranger’s stereo in the car next to us.
Television advertisers make sure that their commercials will be
several decibels louder than the regular program that’s being watched at the
time. Ipods and cell phones are
permanently attached to people’s ears.
It’s noisy around here!
What if we actually tried to LIVE out loud?
What if our actions spoke louder than our words?
The Bible tells us that listening and doing are two actions that go
hand in hand. James 1:22 says,
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.” James
goes on to say, “. . . faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead,” and “. . . a person is justified by what he does and not by faith
alone.”
You have an incredible platform on which to “live out loud.” Being an
athlete allows you countless opportunities to show your true
colors
through your actions and your words.
If you pray in your huddles before a match but taunt the other team
when you put a ball away, the consequence of your actions has taken a
distant second to your own glorification.
If you listen to your coaches during Cross Training, only to give 50%
of your effort in practice, your actions ARE speaking loudly – but what
message is being sent? If
you’re not out on the court during a match and you think you should be, do
you pout at the end of the bench or continue encouraging your teammates?
To really find out how you “live out loud,” examine the way that you
react in a heated or uncomfortable situation.
There is an old song that says, “You’re the only Jesus some will ever see.”
I don’t know about you, but that’s a pretty humbling thought to me.
We only get one chance for a first impression.
An official may only call one Victory match all season.
What impression would you like to leave on her or him?
Another person’s impression of a Victory team or coach or parent
should be a positive one that stays with him or her for a long time.
James Kent said: “Nothing is so potent as the silent influence of a
good example.” Our “silent
influences” should speak VOLUMES about our Christian walks.
Like the Steven Curtis Chapman song says:
“Wake the neighbors – Get the word out
Come on – Crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is the life we’ve been given – Made to be lived out
So LIVE OUT LOUD!”
“Dare to Be Different”
by Shelley Small
It’s almost time. After a short
Christmas break, it will soon be time to take the court in a Victory
uniform. What does that mean?
What’s the big deal? The
big deal is this: when you
signed on as a Victory player, you signed on to be “different.”
You committed to play volleyball this season with a cross on your
back.
Each one of you is part of the Victory program for a reason.
You may have no idea what that reason is right now – you may be here
to improve and play at a higher level for your high school team or to go on
to play college ball, or maybe just to enjoy the sport of volleyball while
developing some friendships along the way.
For whatever reasons you are here, you’ve got some responsibilities
to keep in the front of your mind.
If you didn’t know it at tryouts, you surely know it now:
Victory dares to be different than any other clubs in the country.
It is our prayer as a staff that you dare to be different each and
every time you step on the court and that you keep in mind that the cross on
your uniform gives you special opportunities to be an example and a witness
to those who you compete against.
To set yourself apart from players on other clubs, remember that you are to
be a light – an example – to everyone in the gym.
Players and coaches alike will have their eyes on you and your
reactions to all kinds of situations on and off the court.
Don’t look at this as added pressure that you should feel.
It’s a unique and special opportunity that will make other coaches
and players say, “What’s that team all about?
What makes them different?”
Things won’t always go your way during matches, but your reactions to
adversities of all kinds will go a long way in being an example to others.
If an official makes a bad call and you react in disgust or anger,
what makes you any different from any other player in that gym?
If an opposing player taunts you after putting a ball away, how will
you react? If you don’t get to
play as much as you think you should, how could you make a positive
difference and add something to your team?
II Corinthians 5:20 tells us to be “ambassadors for Christ.”
That’s what we are here at Victory.
We can’t be ambassadors unless we are always conscious of Who we are
playing for and how we should react to various situations.
God has blessed you with a great deal of talent.
As we get ready to kick off our season, it’s time to focus on how
best to use it to glorify Him.
Be a spark on your team – be the constant encourager who never gives up.
Remember: there will be
people in every gym who will have their eyes on you, so dare to be
different.
Live to Win!
Shelley Small
