Volleyball is a great game. The premise is simple, the rules encourage group participation, and just about anyone can play. Case in point, my sweet little, special olympian daughter was recently invited to play in a church volleyball tournament.

The word “tournament” implies competition, which usually spells the end of good will and tolerance.  But what happened at this tournament gave me great hope for the rising generation. 

Our team had advanced through a field of eight to reach the finals. The format was best 2 out of 3 with speed scoring rules which basically meant that everytime the ball touched the ground, someone scored.  Games were to 21 and teams had to win by 2 points. 

For the most part, the players were not particularly skilled.  There were no running jump serves, no spikes and very few three hit combinations. However, all the players wanted to win. Nonetheless, both sides had self-imposed rules of inclusion so that every player was rotated through all six positions. 

In the very tense, first game, my daughter's turn to serve happened when the score was tied 21 to 21.  Like all the other girls, my daughter used the "drop and bop" method of serving. Contact with the ball was not certain and even if contact occurred, the probability of serving the ball past the back row was slim. But she took her turn and amid a chorus of cheers, she bopped the ball about three feet... point for the other team.

The cheering did not stop! She was not aware that her team was now one point away from defeat.  To make a long story short, they lost that game and the ultimately the match.

The ribbons my daughter's team received all said "runner-up" but that day, the girls who came in second really defined a new way to crown a champion.  And what a truly beautiful moment they all shared.