Coach Russ looks at his team as they leave the gym.
"You all did amazing out there today" Everyone nods quietly and talks among themselves.
"Now pay attention" everyone looks over.
"We have momentum on our side, but we're gonna have to cut it short" Lucas is confused.
"Why? This momentum is a good thing, ain't it?" Russ sighs.
"It is, but so is your health, but that's not the point… During your guys' match just now, a leak was found in the arena ceiling, nearby where the camera's were. And there's no telling where any other structural issues might be. They're thinking there might be something wrong with the foundation, but need to survey the building to make sure" Dougal looks over.
"What does this mean for us?" Coach Russ sighs.
"Our 3rd round match will be delayed a bit, unless they can find us another arena or until they survey the arena and find no issues other than the leaking ceiling" Kurai exhales.
"Makes sense… Where's Richmond?" Coach Russ looks around, having not noticed before remembering something.
"Oh, his Mom came to pick him up right after the match… He had to go on a trip to attend his Great Grandma's funeral" Kurai and Kaneko look down.
"We know how that feels" Coach Russ nods as Erik walks over.
"The bus is ready guys, let's go," Coach Russ nods.
"Remember, enter in a single file line, some of you watch your heads"
"Yes sir!"
"You want to rejoin the team?" Xavier sits across the table from Coach Russ.
"Y-Yeah… I… I left taking advantage of Kurai leaving as an excuse… If a monster player like him quit… than what was I supposed to do? Compared to Kurai or any of the other starting lineup players, I was useless… But… then I realized something…" Russ sighs.
"It was an excuse so you could run away from Volleyball…" There was a silence as Russ continued.
"Were you demotivated because he quit, or was it something else?" Xavier looks down.
"Well… The freshman are amazing… and so is everyone else… but me?... I'm average… I can jump high and maybe run a bit faster than your average joe… but I'm not special like them-" Russ puts his hand on Xavier's arm.
"Xavier… You don't need to be unique to have an impact on the game… and if you need help, we're willing to help you, the whole team… we're one big family ready to help each other at a moments notice" Xavier exhales.
"Y-yeah… I guess you're right… But how could I do that when Volleyball just feels… boring to me now…?" Coach Russ relaxes in his desk chair.
"Volleyball is a sport where 12 players in teams of 6 stand on opposing sides of the net and try to keep a leather ball filled with air off the ground… that's how many see it… the thing that separates the 'Monsters' you speak of from these average joes, is that these monsters had their moment… when they get hooked on Volleyball… Dougal's was when he blocked Michael Winters from Louisiana State, and Kurai's was landing a record breaking serve… everyone has their moment… and you will have yours very soon… I know it" Xavier nods.
"Thanks so much… for letting me return…" Russ smiles.
"If a man has upwards of 20 children he takes care of… won't he still be excited when one of them returns home after leaving?" Xavier chuckles a bit.
"I didn't know you're christian, Coach," Coach Russ smirks.
"Well now you do, welcome back to the team, Xavier"