Bump, Set, Spike
This volleyball game is a tad more competitive than your old gym class, but it's a lot of fun and a great workout.
The other day I spotted an Event listing at the Patch home page for adult coed volleyball.
It sounded like fun.
Years ago, and I mean years ago when I lived in Myrtle Beach, S.C., I played a bit of beach volleyball. Mostly two-on-two pickup games and the occasional bunch-of-bodies-on-the-beach games.
It was good exercise and a great way to work on a tan.
Flash forward to 2011. This isn't beach volleyball.
The games are played at the Gilbert Roberts Middle School gym on Thursday evenings with a Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation employee present to collect the $3 admission and make sure everybody behaves. It's billed as "Adult Coed Power Volleyball" designated for "A level power players."
As I expected, it was a crowd of mostly 20- and 30-somethings, mostly men. It's pretty competitive, but with a fun spirit. I was rusty and out of shape, and generally a liability on the court, but I pulled off a couple of decent plays. The players were welcoming and friendly. And some of them can really fire rockets over the net.
Playing without sand under your feet makes for harder landings. I have the achy muscles and bruised knees to prove it.
If you have played volleyball at a fairly competitive level, you'd probably enjoy the game.
I'm hooked. Schedule allowing, I'll be back there next week.
Adult Coed Power Volleyball. 7 p.m. most Thursdays. Gilbert Roberts Middle School, 3333 Charles St. Admission is $3.
Susan Ruiz Patton
4:08 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
I used to love volleyball in college, but I can't imagine how tough these games are. Has anybody else tried it?