Gemotions

Sweat slicked her palms as she watched the coach call her name. “Riley, we’re moving you to setter. Your speed and court awareness are needed there.” She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. The outside hitter role was hers; she’d trained for it since she was a girl.

A strange lightness, like the air before a storm, filled her. She nodded, her chin lifted. The others on the team murmured, a mix of surprise and speculation. She ignored them, her focus sharpening.

The first few practices were a blur of quick footwork and precise passes. The setter position demanded a different kind of strength, a mental toughness, that she discovered she possessed in abundance. She relished the responsibility, the intricate dance of the plays she orchestrated, the power of putting the team first.