“Side out, side out!” “You got this!” The crowd’s roaring chant sounded like a broken record on full blast. All of a sudden, my ears deafen, my heart racing, my hands moist and my throat dry. Perspiration slowly trails down my face as I glance at the scoreboard. The score reads 17-18. My team, SF Tremors 13-1 has been going back and forth with Texas team Magic for more than an hour. Both teams won one set, and now Magic is in the lead by one point. This is such a long and exhausting game! I think frantically, talking to myself, focus Ella, focus. I try locking my tired eyes on the tall, chubby server but the towering middle blocker with wingspan of an eagle and outside blocker enhanced biceps were partially blocking my view. The girl serves a powerful topspin jump-serve towards Karlee, but the short, lightning quick defensive specialist dives forward to pass the ball. It was a perfect pass, going directly to the petite hands of our skilled setter, Erica. She sets me on zone 4. Leaping into the air like a graceful ballerina, I pull my right arm back to load and when my hand contacts the ball I slam it at an open hard-angle, zone 4. My team and I hysterically cheer, “ALL KILL, CHICK CHICK BOOM!” I turn to see who was bellowing; “do it again” it was my mother with proud eyes and a permanent smile across her face starring directly at me. The score shows 18-18. Everyone rotates, and Erica serves a fast float serve to the other team. Number 24 on Magic shanks the ball, and with Erica scoring an ace, the score now reads 19-18. I wish I could serve like that, I murmur quietly. Taking notice of the now nervous number 24 bracing from across the net, Erica serves again at the same person, but number 24 manages to pass the ball. Magic’s setter sets a 1(quick set) to the middle hitter, who swiftly turns at the last moment and slams the ball right in front of Erica. The score is tied again, 19-19, Magic with the serve.
Number 2 serves a fast float serve to