“We are going to score more points then he can take away!!!”

This last Saturday, 26^th, we played the current number one team at their house. We were behind them in the standings by two points and if you win the match in 3 or 4 sets you get 3 points, but if you go 5 sets, the winner gets 2 points and the loser 1 point. Needless to say, we needed to win in 4 or less to take over the number one spot.

It marked the first time we would take a large tour bus to the game with a little over 25 of our fans and supporters on board as well. It was a smooth ride to the game, getting to Sliedrecht in about two hours. For those of you who know me it may not be a surprise, but I slept most of the trip, shown in a picture on our website: http://www.polluxonline.nl/index.php/categorie/fotoalbum/C14 . Once we got to the gym we relaxed a little, had coffee or tea, then went on a short walk before heading to the locker room to dress and prepare.

From the warm up I could tell it was going to be a great and thrilling game. It was the biggest crowd I have played in front of since taking my play to Europe and the best part, both sides had drums. Yes, our team has the best drummers around! It is a few girls from the younger volleyball program and they are dedicated, showing up at every game. I love it! Anyway, that atmosphere is like drugs to me and the two sides of the gym were already competing in the noise level game before the volleyball game even started.

We won 3-0 with some close scores of 25-18, 25-23, 25-23. Meaning, Heutink-Pollux is number ONE! We hope to stay there with only one more match in league play before the playoffs begin.

Here is a link to watch the last point of the match, please excuse my running man type style of excitement. It was a very exhilarating and close game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF3AZOkc-gA

Next weekend, we play at home against Taurus who is currently ranked 4^th. It is also the famous Carnival weekend here in Oldenzaal and I am fully prepared with my costume of an 80’s fitness instructor, pictures to follow. 

Tattoos?!?

Personally, I have never been on one side of the spectrum or the other, which I have realized lately, is my position on a lot of subjects. I’m not sure if this sort of stance is a good or bad thing, but somewhere in the middle is where I lie, in the “grey area” as someone once called it.

I am not a huge fan of the ‘tattoos all over the body’ look, but one or two are not such an awful sight when strategically placed. The largest validation factor for me is the meaning of the tattoo because let’s be honest they are pretty permanent. I believe something you are getting basically branded on your body should have some serious significance or story tied to it and hopefully one that, as a constant reminder, will bring a smile or positive impact towards you.

The reason I bring up the subject is I might be getting one in the near future. I made a little pact with myself and current teammates that if we were to win it all this year that I would honor such an accomplishment with an itsy bitsy teeny tiny tattoo. Now in my defense to those of you I know that are not thrilled with the idea, I have given it serious thought and it would be representative of more then just winning, this year has been a great one in my life for various reasons.

If we were to win, it would no doubt be the ‘cherry on top’ of my volleyball career from age 12 to 24. It would remind me of the first day of varsity high school volleyball my sophomore year, when I came home crying telling my parents I would never play again. Then agreeing to stick out the week and decide later if I felt the same way, best choice I ever made in high school. It would remind me of my dreams of college volleyball almost slipping away as I went down on the soccer field my senior year. Next, how my prayers were answered with a whirl wind summer following graduation and being given the opportunity of a lifetime to wear Texas across my back. It would symbolize the crazy ups and downs that brought me to this amazing moment in my life. It would be my first ‘national championship,’ which I could not be more grateful for.

My thoughts so far are a single tulip on my foot (hence the choice of pictures). In the end, I pray daily we will win it all, but it does not make me any less nervous about that needle of color. I’ve never really been one for needles.

The value of being a college athlete is high, but will it get you a job after college?

As a recent college athlete graduate, I have had this question constantly creeping up on me as I think about my future. At the moment, I am still enjoying my athleticism playing the sport I love overseas. In this long 7-9 month season, I find myself missing America and wondering if life is somewhat passing me by back home. My friends are starting careers and getting engaged or married. They are saving for or buying houses and dogs. These things are all on my ‘for the future’ list and recent talks about which job path I would choose has stirred some fears up. Will I be able to get a job I actually want?

I know first hand the value of athletics. I started with soccer at age 6 and have not stopped my participation in some kind of sport for longer than 3 months at any given time. In junior high I tried it all, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, track & field and one week of parent encouraged tennis lessons. In high school I narrowed it down to 3, volleyball, soccer and track & field. At around 15 years old I decided that volleyball was the biggest of the three passions and I wanted to try to play it in college. The summer after my senior year, I signed with the University of Texas to pursue that dream and by my senior season in burnt-orange we had made it to the NCAA Final Four. 

Sports helped me in so many ways throughout my life. I made friends and had an outlet for all that energy, as my parents would put it. I learned to communicate with coaches, parents and teammates whether I was fond of them or not. I realized what responsibility and hard work requires of an individual as well as how upsetting it can be when people do not value those commitments. I found that I could reach my physical and mental limits, as well as push past them if I wanted. I acquired problem solving skills and how to deal with conflict or criticism. I believe all these things to be useful in every day life and especially in the working world, but I am still concerned that it will not make up for a lack of actual work experience on my resume.

I have plenty of experience coaching camps and teams in volleyball, but what if that is not what I would like to do full time for the rest of my life. I enjoy coaching and watching my sport grow with new generations, but it would be something I would do part time by choice. Lastly, what if I have aspirations to work in a field that is no where near my degree major; is that reaching for Pluto? Would I have to go back to college?

Mijn eerste blog... vanuit NL

About me... my name is Kiley Anne, sort of obvious I guess. I am 24 years old, as of 3 days ago and living in the Netherlands (hence the title of this). I was born in Newport Beach, CA, USA where I lived for 17 years. I then took my journey to Austin, TX riding the 'volleyball' flying carpet that has carried me to the highest peaks and back again. I spent the next 4 years in Austin having just about the grandest college experience a girl could ask for. After college I followed my volleyball career into Europe and called Switzerland home for 7 months. I went home for the summer spending most of my time in California and a bit in Texas, before again chasing my dreams back to Europe. For the last 6 months I have been in Oldenzaal, NL and loving life. I'm attempting to learn Dutch, which is not so easy, as well as seeing the sights, Berlin was beautiful!

I am starting this blog in an attempt to explore my writing skills, so all suggestions or corrections are welcome. I was having one of my many conversations with a current roommate about career options and realized I have always enjoyed writing. My major in college, health promotion and fitness, really has nothing to do with writing, but my minor was communications so hopefully this blog will not be awful. I ask that you bare with me.

Lastly, I would love input on creative topics and I'm an open book if you know the right questions to ask... so ask away :) Thanks for reading!