First Bell Volleyball Games

Today, we watched our first two Bellarmine boys volleyball games -- one for junior varsity and the other for varsity. And it was against their archrival St. Francis Lancers. Each season, we try to watch as many games as we can, especially between these two protagonists. Their matches are always tight and charged. Today's game was not any different.

Watching the games this evening was a little bit special because, now, my son is officially a Bell, and the affinity is much more personal. In past years, we would watch the games because I had a player from St, Joseph that played for Bellarmine. I got nostalgic and proud whenever I saw this boy on court. I couldn't imagine that this once tall, lanky kid was their starting setter. Of course, I also had grand visions that, one day, I will be watching my son play on that very same court as the starting libero. Who knows?

First to play were the JVs. We knew one of their players. He was James' teammate at their volleyball club team, Endline. The JV coach is the son of one of the after-care assistants at James' school, who was also a St. Joseph alumnus. We hope he stays around for a few more years until James tries out for the team. The JV team defeated St. Francis in straight sets, 2-0.

The next match featured the bigger and more powerful varsity team. Watching these players was just so exciting. If you just sat in the stands and observe the movement of the players on the court, it was as if you were watching a well-choreographed dance routine. The rotation and the positioning of the players on offense and on defense was just one fluid motion. Truly amazing.

The first set was tight. Bellarmine had to catch up to win the set. Second set also went to Bell. Somehow, the Lancers managed to up their game and won the third set. But their efforts weren't enough and lost the fourth. Bell won, 3-1. The match was exciting, and it included a number of long rallies, much to the amusement of the audience. St . Francis had a small contingent, mostly parents of the players, while Bell took advantage of home court with their own lively crowd.

What was unusual this evening was that Bell opened its concession stand just outside the gym. This allowed the spectators a chance to grab a quick bite in between matches. Coincidentally, a friend of ours, who's a Bell dad and father of James' classmate (who also made it to Bell) worked the concession stand. He told us that they haven't opened the stand in a very (very) long time. I guess we came at the right time.

We always have fun watching volleyball matches at Bell, despite the distance. Now that James is a Bell, I guess distance should be an issue. Go Bells !!!