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*Thursday Evening- Game Time*

Coach K walked into the gym where her team was quickly running through plays before the game. "Alright ladies, I put your uniforms in the locker room. But before y'all go get dressed, let me just say one thing... We are a team, we win together, lose together and strive together. But if you wanna make the best of it to be able to celebrate in the end, you gotta do whatever it takes to win games.. whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot... you do whatever is necessary! Y'all know who I just quoted?"

Everyone just gave her a blank stare..

"Kobe Bryant . (RIP)" Amari answered.

"YES MA'AM! The one and only! Queen bring it in, girl." Coach said.

Queen stepped up and yelled, "MAMBA on three! One, two, three..!"

"MAMBA" the girls shouted then ran to the locker room to get ready.

"Amari, stay back for a minute will you." Coach told Amari.

Amari stopped and waited like she was asked to.

When the team left the gym empty with just Coach K and Amari, Coach asked her to set up with her.

"We gotta put the net up, sweep the court and set out the rest of the bleachers." Coach pointed out.

The two did just that. Amari didn't mind helping Coach set up. She used to do it at her old school.

As they were finishing up, Coach asked her to bring out all the baskets of volleyballs out of the closet. Amari did just that. Coach then asked her to do a few more things as she sat down to rest and watch her.

Once Amari finished everything, she contently asked, "Do you need me to do anything else, Coach?"

Coach K looked at her and could tell by her face that she really did not mind helping her. And that's what she was hoping to see about Amari. Most of the girls would throw a fit if they had to help her set up. Coach said no. Amari then sat down on the bleachers and rested a little.

Coach K looked over at Amari and started talking. "Now don't go running back to the girls telling them I told you this, but normally what I would do is hold the newbie back and ask them to help me set up. Most would just pout and get irritated. Others wouldn't mind it. That shows me whether or not I want to start them early. I would ask the person to do a million things just to see if it would break their patience. If you can't hold your patience with me while doing something as simple as setting up, then you can't hold your patience with me when I'm telling you to do stuff when things get heated in a game.. It's basically a test for me to view your commitment. If you break, I hold you out for the game. If you don't, I'll test the waters with you to see which position would be your specialty. Of course, with me.. I make everyone learn the basics to all positions. I want everyone to be able to play anywhere I throw them, but I also wanna learn your skills. What are your strengths and weaknesses in volleyball, so I know where to put you and when. Anyway, I think you're fit for three positions, but I wanna test things first. I peeped that you got speed and you can hit. But do you know how to use those to your advantage in a game is the real question."

"Umm.. I'm not one to brag on myself but I used to play 'bero at my old school, and I had mad skills." Amari responded.

"Sweetie, it's not bragging if what you say is facts. Let's run a few plays and let me be the judge of that." Coach responded.

Luckily, on game days, the volleyball varsity team has a jumpsuit to wear during school. Amari changed into her game shoes and walked onto the court with her coach. They ran a few plays for a 'bero, and coach liked how skilled she was. Still, she wanted to see Amari play as a setter and a post-outside hitter. They ran a few plays to test those, and Coach K was indeed impressed.