'Tis The Season

by Jessi Greenberg

Hello there loyal followers! I hope you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you. I apologize for my absence lately, but I’ve been a little busy to say the least. You see, it’s everyone’s favorite time of year again. No, I don’t mean Christmas. I’m talking about VOLLEYBALL SEASON!

Picture Day: One of the highlights of preseason.

A couple weeks ago began the start of preseason.   Although some people may cringe at the idea of two-a-days and two weeks of nothing but volleyball practice, I relished in the daily soreness and five pounds of sweat I lost each day playing in that oven we call Memorial Coliseum. Each day that we got closer to the season opener, the more excited our team got.  

Now, as if I wasn’t busy enough, we also started school this month. Once again, the thought of school might make some people’s stomachs churn, but of course being my nerdy self, I was looking forward to it. Now that we are in the midst of the season and school, my schedule can tend to look a tad overwhelming. So in order to power through those long nights and early mornings, I’ve found some techniques that help me stay focused on my studies, and kicking butt on the volleyball court.

How to Not Go Absolutely Insane During Volleyball Season:

1. Be Organized: If you don’t have a planner, go get one. Or use the calendar on your oh-so-smart phone, but personally I like to write things down by hand. Whether you’re a coach or a player, your schedule is going to be crazy during the season, and it’s important to have all your activities written down in one place.

2.  Fuel Your Body: One of the biggest differences between being in season and being out of season, is that you are going to be in the gym for around three hours a day, six days a week. That much activity means you are going to burn a lot of calories. No that DOESN’T mean you can eat cake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is crucial that you fill your body with the energy it needs to keep you going throughout the day. That means you need to get your lean proteins, your fruits and veggies, and enough carbs to help you get through practices and games.

3. Plan Ahead: Remember that planner you bought? Use it. You are going to be traveling a lot, and that can make schoolwork seem a little stressful. Whenever possible, try to complete assignments at the beginning of the week, instead of one hour before they’re due.

4. Balance: Our schedules are hectic, and there’s no way around that. Therefore, you can’t stay up until 2am every night, and you definitely won’t be sleeping in until 11 every morning. Be smart about your social life, and make sure you are getting to bed at a reasonable hour so you can perform at your highest level everyday. Trust me, your coach and teammates will appreciate the effort you’re making.

5. Get Some TLC: You’re going to have some great days, and you’re going to have some days that make you want to curl up in the fetal position under your covers and never get out. My advice is to find something that’ll help de-stress you at the end of the day.  Personally, I find that drinking tea, eating a piece of chocolate, and laughing with my ridiculous roommates always leaves me going to bed with a smile on my face. Find your happy place.

Now, that's what excitement looks like.

Now that you have a few basic tips on surviving the volleyball season, I hope you’re as excited as I am for the next four months of action. And if you think you’re excited, I’ve included some pictures of what real excitement looks like...Kentucky volleyball style.

I'm guessing we won that point.