Spike Analysis

Olympic volleyball court

Women’s volleyball is a sport I associate with the Olympics. I know it’s played at many colleges and universities, but for me it is one of those things I just don’t watch until the Olympic torch is lit and the best international teams line up at the net. As we arrive at the venue and go through yet another security screen, I am watching to see how they will handle camera equipment. The published rules state that “no professional cameras or lens’ longer than 200mm in focal length” will be allowed. At the opening ceremony rehearsal my small pocket camera was judged unacceptable and I was turned away from the gate (thankfully only temporarily). Tonight I left the most of the cameras at home, I wasn’t taking any chances because I didn’t have anyone I could pass the equipment to if it was rejected at the security screen. First we pass through the metal detector, put our belongings on another x-ray machine conveyor, and get the usual airport style “wanding”. I have to empty my pockets and wallet, but everyone is very pleasant and polite. There are a lot of screeners so it all moves along efficiently. We finally are able to head for the stands and find our seats – great view of the action. Not many Americans present, but we are a vocal bunch.

Tonight the opposition comes from Japan so we have the hometown crowd cheering for us too. When the USA/Japan match starts, the Americans quickly take a commanding lead, but several service faults later and our confidence is a bit shaken. The two teams now appear to be evenly matched and the volleys are long and fought with great intensity. Players dive to the floor to dig out shots with seeming disregard for self-inflicted bodily harm. These players are very tall and muscular- you can hear the thud when they leap horizontally and sprawl with arms outstretched on the gymnasium floor. Most of the time the ball pops back into play as it ricochets off skillfully positioned forearms. The motion of the players is a ballet of sorts as in turn the ball is first routed to the front near the net, set in a near vertical trajectory and finally spiked with a mighty swing that makes you happy not to be on the receiving end of the blow. The Americans show lots of power at the net and finally take the first game. In the next game a series of service faults put the Americans behind again and again just as they seem ready to put the match away. Japan takes the lead one last time and we all are stunned when they teach the USA a lesson in “quality control”. As the third game starts we start to yell louder and wave our flags more furiously. “Jia iou, jia iou.” – add fuel, add fuel ) we shout the standard Chinese cheer at the top of our lungs. The Chinese spectators join in the chant and we have a fine cheering section in the making. During the timeouts we join a few stadium waves flowing around the spectator sections and watch as people jump to their feet, wave their arms, laugh and have a great time. The game is very close and the lead is exchanged seemingly every other point, but finally the Americans pull ahead and better the formidable Japanese opponent.

Victory on the court

Before we leave the stadium, we move down to the railing and chat with some of the players as they bask in the glory of an Olympic win. We collect some snapshots (Jill managed to get a small camera in) and a few autographs. As we look at our cell phones we can’t believe the time. It’s after midnight! Off to the subway we run, but to our dismay one entrance is blocked and then another. Finally, one last chance, but as we approach the lighted entryway a guard informs us “meiyou le” – closed. Back we trudge to try and catch a bus, but the sign indicates it stopped running 30 minutes prior. All of a sudden we notice the crowd is gone and we are feeling alone on the dark streets. After a few minutes that seem endless, we manage to stop a taxi, but we quickly find out the hard way that stopping a taxi doesn’t necessarily mean you get to ride it. As we gather the children together, a savvy local quickly jumps in and we stand stunned watching “our” cab drive off. We decide not to be fooled again and take control of the next taxi’s backseat immediately after it stops. 30 minutes later we are all safely back in our apartment laughing at our adventure in taxi wrangling and looking forward to a good nights sleep. But it’s hard to sleep because tomorrow we will go to the Olympic green and see womens gymnastics”!

Let's Celebrate!