Cokeville Volleyball Tournament

We have survived another Cokeville High School volleyball tournament. Twelve teams play in the tourney, some going home each night and some camping out at the schools and park and motel. There is really a mob of people around for all day Friday and Saturday.

"Our" girls from Gillette (they've stayed with us all eight years we've owned the place) arrived Thursday night after 8 1/2 hours on the bus and promptly filled the motel rooms and game room and hot tub. Their enthusiasm was catchy. Many of them have been here three years. It was like welcoming family. Fun.

Mariah and the other cheerleaders use the weekend as a fund raiser, filling the concession stand with lots of good food to sell. With the Flying J restaurant closed, it was especially important this year. I went over Thursday afternoon to help make sloppy joes and cinnamon rolls and brownies and rice krispie treats and baked potatoes. They offered lots of other pre-made stuff like pizza, nachos, hot dogs, candy and pop, etc. Because there are only four fall cheerleaders (the others play volleyball), this was quite an undertaking. But they did well, both with the work and with the income.

Seth and I (especially Seth) spent what time we could at the games cheering for both Cokeville and Gillette. Cokeville is the smallest school (BY FAR) and they did really well this year, placing 4th I think. Gillette hung in there for 5th or sixth inspite of several injuries, one quite serious (Seth was there to stand in for the girl's dad, giving assistance where he could and rounding up some crutches). The tournament is set up so that the JV teams play right before each varsity matchup. Their results are not part of the competition, but it gives them a chance to play as a team, too. This is the first tournament of the year for all the schools and the opportunity to be part of it is coveted.

I am continually amazed at how well the girls play, even the youngest. It's WAY different from when I played "back in the day" on junior high/high school/church teams. We just rotated around and tried to keep the ball in the air, with a few attempted spikes! These girls are well trained, serious, skilled athletes. It is really fun to watch.

By 10 pm last night they were all gone again. The concession stand was cleaned and empty. The custodians were finishing up the last tasks and locking up the doors of the school. Motel reservations were already made for next year's event. Seth had waved goodbye to the Gillette girls and retrieved the borrowed crutches. Mariah came home, glad to sit down. Then we all had to smile..........it was so quiet.