You don’t know what you’re missing

Walking down Harrison Street, on my way to class in the morning, I passed Jesse Pellot-Rosa and thought about his Colonial Athletic Association Championship-winning free throws that propelled the Rams to the big dance in 2003.

Every now and then, I’ve been in the gym at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, only to look over and find Nick George bench-pressing a million pounds next to me.

Before he graduated, I would slap hands with Michael Doles in Spanish class, congratulating him on the previous night’s victory.

These names are relatively familiar to most VCU students because Pellot-Rosa, George and Doles are or have been members of the men’s basketball team. But six months ago, if you had asked me if I had spotted Griselle Lopez Pereira (Caguas, Puerto Rico) in the library, I would have stared at you with a blank face.

Like many students here at VCU, I had neglected to attend a volleyball game. Until recently, I had no idea what I was missing. I had never gone to the Siegel Center to watch senior libero Lopez Pereira, the team captain, dive fully extended across the court to save a ball inches from touching the floor.

I now have the chance, however, to perhaps save all of you from missing one of the most exciting fall sports to watch at this school.

Like basketball, the action in volleyball is fast-paced and exciting. Players jump high to spike the ball at high speeds, only to find their effort thwarted by opposing players diving acrobatically around the court and “digging” the ball to keep the rally alive.

Like tennis, the agility and dexterity of each player is crucial. In order to block spikes at the net or save errant balls flying off-court, the girls throw themselves around the court to save a point. There is a dire need to react almost instantaneously to the flight path of the ball to keep the team in the point.

The teamwork and communication in the sport is also something to be admired. It is impossible for an Allen Iverson or a Terrell Owens to attain superstar status without every member of the team working together in order for even the most basic of volleyball plays to function. Many people know about the bump-set-spike from playing beach volleyball, but how many of us actually are successful in implementing it? I know I can’t. Not well at least.

Many students have done what I had done and neglected to watch these girls play. Johnny Kauzlarich, a senior sports management major, said he goes to about two or three basketball games a year but hasn’t ever been to a volleyball game.

When asked how often she attended men’s basketball games, biology major Phylicia Jemmott said, “Every now and then when there’s a game.” On the other hand, Jemmott said she had never been to a volleyball game.

As a sports fan, I am urging other sports fans to check out at least one VCU volleyball game and see what you’re missing.

Don’t deny yourself the chance of watching freshman Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianopolis, Brazil) spike the ball with amazing power or freshman Jaclyn Orlando (Clinton Township, Mich.) dominate somebody at the net, stuffing the opponent’s shot back in their face.

Get rowdier, Rams, and get out there and watch a team finding success and providing excitement.