Are We a Team?

My daughter, Melissa, is a huge volleyball fan. Since her college days at the Ateneo, she has been rooting for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, religiously watching the UAAP games. Her favorite players have since graduated from college, and she continues to follow their exciting volleyball careers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

During her recent vacation to Manila from her work overseas, one regular bonding session for us was watching either the live or online PVL games, including the recorded games of the various teams competing in the on-going All-Filipino Conference Preliminaries (we watched the games not only of her favorite team, but of other teams where some favorite players are members). I must say that I am now a fan of the PVL games. The level of play and talent exhibited by these lady volleyball players are most impressive. Notably, among the twelve teams, the newly created teams are at the bottom of the totem pole, quite understandably as they still getting their bearings and their players not yet fully in sync.

As an amateur spectator, I have observed notable and common underlying reasons and factors that always spell the difference between winning and losing a game. Here are some of them:

1. The players have the same clear motivation and objective: for the team to win. The stronger the will and motivation, the better chances for the team to be propelled to victory.

2. The players always communicate with each other and with the coach. Communication is obviously a key ingredient in a successful game. Through communication, the players understand each other during the match. The reality is volleyball teams often fail to complete an attack hit or resist an attack due to miscommunication.

3. Players execute well-planned plays and strategies. Excellent sets are executed by skillful setters and the ever-prepared outside or opposite spikers. Good reception and defense are often courtesy of the libero and middle blockers.

4. They exhibit the ability to adjust to situations. Players and their coach take time to step back and recalibrate their play. In certain tight occasions during the game, a defensive specialist is added to the mix of players.

5. There is rotation and substitution. Players get tired. Even the best ones have off days. This is when the coach needs to put together the perfect combination of players in any given set.

6. All team members realize that anyone can make a mistake during a game, even during crucial moments. Even the best players commit service or other unforced errors. Yet, whenever this happens, the erring player is not readily sacrificed, scolded, or substituted. Instead, she is afforded an opportunity to deliver; and they often do rally and achieve amazing results.

These are the take-aways and lessons that we all must remind ourselves, as members of this great team called the Rotary Club of Manila.