Dani~

High-fiving the girls as I run out to the court, "Let's go ladies! Ball is ours!"

I clap a few times, "Let's go Mik! Start us right!" She serves the ball over the net, pretty deep onto the other side of the court.

"Tip!" I yell as Italy's setter pushes the ball over to our side. Lauren digs it to our setter, Megan, and I head back to the ten-foot line. She sets it perfectly over to me and I jump, hitting the ball with my palm, sending it straight down on their side, where they're unable to cover the spot. What a great way to start the season.

We gather in the middle, "Watch out, this girl's gonna lead the world in kills this season," Lauren says, hyping me up. 

"Keep it going, Mik."

She serves it again, right to their libero. They send the ball over as Tonya and I missed the block. Megan sets it to Carolyn over on the right side. They dig it back up and soon send it back over to our side. We got a rally going on and it's the second point of the match. Welcome back Team USA.

"One, one, one, one," I yell, signaling that I want the ball. Jumping once again, I send the ball down the line, just inside the lines. Two points, two kills.

"Dani!" I look over at Coach Sheffield, "Hey, save your energy. But great plays. You're doing great things and playing well. Keep it up."

I guess I can take it down a notch. Not as fun if I do though. I give him the thumbs-up before Mik serves it over again.

This time Lauren is unable to cover the ground and get to the ball. It's part of the game. 

They serve the ball over and Lauren is there. Megan tips it over and Italy didn't suspect it, earning us another point. We rotate around, Megan now serving. I hold two fingers behind my back, as I notice there's no one over in that area of their side.

I push my braid over onto my back as I head over to the left side after she serves it. The ball drops on our side from some bad communication. We huddle in the middle, "We got this. Pull it together," Mik says.

We went back and forth for the next two points. 5-3, us. A young girl throws me a ball from the sidelines as I head back to the service line. The ref blows the whistle and I look over to Sheffield. He holds a five against his clipboard. I send it spinning into the air and take a couple of steps before jumping and sending it over the net, just grazing the top fabric. I watch it fall as their libero and defensive specialists look at each other. That's more like it. I love it when I do that.

They throw me another ball. I look to Sheffield again but he doesn't give me another number. Same spot? Bet.

I serve it over the net and they put the ball in play, this time hitting it over to us. They hit the ball right to me. Defense is not my specialty. But, I get it up enough for Megan to backset it over to Tonya. Tonya lets them have it. "Keep it up. Go six this time, deep," Tonya tells me as we meet in the middle.

Serving it back over, just in the lines. Maybe a little too far. This is more like us. Up 8-3. This is the team I know. I serve the ball back over, them playing it out and sending it over the net. Nobody is there to cover it. It's okay. It's the game. Claire comes in and tags me out.

I high-fived the girls on the sidelines before coming back to one of the seats and taking a drink of my water bottle. Coach Sheffield comes and squats down in front of me. "Notice anything?"

"Their setter is very aware. She's watching our hands more than we think."

He flips the papers he has on his clipboard and takes his marker out. He turns around to watch the play and quickly calls timeout.

They gather around me, "I know we haven't done this in practice, and if it doesn't work out, oh well. But, when Dani goes back in, I want you and Megan to work out a fast-attack hit like a middle-blocker. They won't expect it from Dani. It's a risky play, but a risk I'm willing to take. Dani, that being said, stay near Megan and work quickly."

"You got it."

Our time runs out and the ref blows his whistle, signaling we need to stop huddling. "You sure about this?" I ask Sheffield.

"If this works out, you can become a powerhouse to be reckoned with. They won't expect it from you since you don't have the height like our middles."

"Let's do it then."

I watch the next points as they rally again. I tag out Carolyn and stand on the other side of Claire. Mikayla serves it but their pass isn't as clean as they expect it to be and it comes back over the net. "Free!"

Staying near Megan and watching her hands, I quickly jump and shoot the ball down. Italy is stunned at the fast play. They'll probably charge me on a carry because I definitely helped the ball over with some more force. I wait for the call but they don't call anything. I gotta work out the quirks with that one if he wants me to keep doing that.

"Not bad," Megan tells me, "We'll work on it some more."

Getting to the hotel, we get up out of our seats and head out of the bus. We did end up winning this match. Which is always a great way to start our season. We're very tired.

They handed us our room key and bag of food once we got into the hotel. "Ladies, great work tonight. Let's do the same thing tomorrow. Get some rest tonight. We've got a big day tomorrow," Sheffield tells us as we stand in the lobby.

We file into the elevator, most of us just wanting to be in bed already, including myself. I find my room and drag my stuff into my room. I put my phone on my bed and opened my suitcase to get my face wash and a pair of shorts.

I take both into the bathroom with me. I hear my phone chime a few times while I'm in the bathroom. Whoever it is, they can wait.

I dry my face off with one of the towels. I fold up our matching team sweatpants and set them on top of the rest of my clothes. Looking at my phone, I shake my head.

Christian: You still up?
Christian: We watched your match in the clubhouse. The guys enjoyed it. Also, notice my volleyball vocab. It's getting better, don't you think?

As I read his text in the notification center of my phone another one pops up.

Christian: You normally answer me quickly so I assume you're sleeping
Me: I'm up. Barely though. About to head to bed.

His contact once again shows up on my phone. Something about him calling me at the worst times just seems normal at this point.

I answer even though I'm tired. He smiles, "Hey, nice match today."

"You really watched it?"

"Yeah. Hooked it up from my laptop onto one of the TVs in the clubhouse." I pull back the covers in my bed and turn on the lamp that's on the nightstand. I grab the bag of food they gave us and shut off the main overhead lighting.

"Appreciate it."

I take the salad bowl out of the bag. "How much of it did you actually understand?" I ask, teasing him a bit.

"Hey, I understood most of it. Your ball control is insane."

I drizzle the Caesar dressing on top of the salad before sitting down in bed. "Took some time to perfect it, I guess. But I wouldn't even say I've perfected it."

"Looked pretty perfect to me."

"So, did the guys actually enjoy watching it, or did they just enjoy staring at a bunch of girls' butts?"

He laughs, "Well, most of them have a girl already."

"You know that doesn't mean shit."

He shrugs, "I guess that's true. They were really into it though. It was something different for us to watch. Normally, we got other games on, or sometimes we got the NBA on. We were pulling for you guys."

"Worked out, didn't it?"

"Yeah, maybe we should watch your games more often."

"Appreciate that you're watching them and growing the game for me."

He shrugs, "Someone's gotta do it. You had some nice plays."

"Not bad for our first match."

"Really good in my opinion. What time is it there?"

"12:45."

"Shit, sorry. Didn't realize you're like seven hours ahead of us."

"No, it's fine. Our match started at ten. We didn't get into Italy until eight because of our flight that got delayed in Chicago."

"What time were you supposed to be there?"

"Like four. I don't know if it was snow or if it was just nasty out. But we got delayed in Chicago for four hours and barely made it across the Atlantic Ocean in time."

"It was snow. We got some too. Not much, but enough to cause some damage if you're not careful."

"That's the Midwest for you."

He laughs, "You got any more matches while you're there?"

"We got Germany in the morning around 10:30. Then we have a break until 3 when we play France. Busy day for us all. And we're jetlagged so this should be fun."

"I'll let you go then. Besides, now I gotta win my game."

"Oh, yeah, make my city proud."

"Will do."

Three Weeks Later

"Are we still going out for dinner?" I ask Mik after our winning match. Five sets of constant back and forth between the Canadian team.

"Yeah, coach found a steakhouse that's nearby. Dress nice."

"Sounds good."

"How many kills do you have so far?"

"From tonight?"

"Overall."

"I have no idea. I don't keep track."

"What about tonight?"

"I think I had 19 kills on the night. But it's helpful when someone I love very much has some recognizable defensive skills."

"I got you, girl. Always."

We all quickly change and head out to the bus. We're back in the States for this tournament. Our first stop in the States is Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We pull up to the hotel behind another charter bus. There must be another team staying here as well. We file out of the bus and meet in the lobby. "Can we all meet down here around 7?"

"Sounds good, coach." We're all capable of getting ready in an hour so we shouldn't have a problem with this.

We head into the elevator and take it up to the eighth floor where the entire team is staying. We all head to our individual rooms and I set my things down on the bed before pulling out the dress I keep in my suitcase for nights like these.

I take out my braids as the water in my shower heats up. We had a great matchup against Canada today. I know this tournament is going to be a good one. It'll be fun but also really close because we're going to play really good teams.

I quickly shower and get all the sweat off of me. We have two huge matches tomorrow. Back-to-back, might I add. Brazil and Japan. Two incredible teams with some great players.

I dry off before getting dressed. I zipped the red body-con dress up my back and pulled it down as it was riding a bit high. I take the heels out of my suitcase, sit on the bed, and put them on before grabbing my phone and bag as I head out.

I head over to Mikayla's room, knocking on her door. She opens it, her mouth dropping. "Damn, look at you."

"Are you ready?"

She laughs as I stand in the doorway, "Yeah, let's go."

The team and I head into the restaurant that's not far from our hotel. We all sit down around the long table that they had reserved for the team. "From what I've heard, another team is coming to eat too so they'll be on the other side of Dani at the other long table," our coach tells us.

"A volleyball team?" I ask out of curiosity since that'd be a little weird.

He shrugs, "Not sure."

I shrug it off before our waitress comes over and we all order about the same thing. They quickly bring us our drinks.

"Can we get a picture of us all? We never look this nice all too often." We all stand up and find an open spot to take a team photo before I take a few pictures with Mik and Lauren.

I sit back down and look at the pictures that were taken. I noticed the other team sat down next to us. A bunch of guys. And I'm sitting right next to them.

I pick a few out of the photos and import those so I can edit them while we wait for our food and drinks.

Christian Yelich: Wow. Not even going to say hi.

Huh? I furrow my brow at his text as I click on it. He keeps typing.

Christian Yelich: To your right

I look up from my phone and over to my right and see him looking at me. I smile and move my seat out from under the table. He does the same and we both get up and hug. "I didn't know you guys were going to be here too," I say.

"I'll be honest, I forgot we had the same schedule up here. I saw your bus at the hotel."

Oh? And we're staying at the same hotel. This couldn't have worked out better. "How long are you here?"

"We have two matches tomorrow. We're off the next day and then a possible championship round the following day."

"Catch up later?"

"Yeah!"

I sit back down, noticing all the eyes on me. "You and Yelich?" Mik asks me, quietly.

"Just friends."

"You can tell me. Fuck buddies, right?" she whispers to me.

"Oh my god, I hate you. Friends, that's it."

Christian Yelich: Your room or mine? We just got back.
Me: We're about to be back in a few minutes. We had to go back to the court for a quick film session. Doesn't matter to me
Christian Yelich: I'll be in my room then. 918
Me: Okay. See you soon :)

"You going to mess around with Yeli?" Mik asks me as she leans over the aisle.

"We are catching up. That is it."

"Mmhmm. Tell me how it is tomorrow. He's an MVP, must be good."

I roll my eyes, "I'm just going to pretend you didn't say that."

The bus comes to a stop and Sheffield stands up, "Please be down here tomorrow morning by 10:30. Our first match is at noon and then we'll continue from there." We all nod and file off the bus.

I hit the ninth-floor button while Mik hits the eighth-floor. I lean against the wall of the elevator as we ascend. The door opens for the eighth floor and I stay put.

"Have fun. Be safe," Mik tells me. I flip her off as the doors close. 

The doors open and I go find his room. I knock on his door and he's quick to open it, "Hey."

He smiles, "Hi."

He hugs me again, this time a bit longer than in the restaurant. He lets me into his room and shuts the door.

"Go sit," he tells me as I awkwardly stand in the middle of his room. It's that awkward stance you do when you're like twelve in a boy's room for the first time. That's how I feel. I don't like that feeling.

"When did you guys get in?" I ask, sitting down on the couch.

"Around 6. How long have you been here?"

"Three days."

"Where'd you come from?"

"We were just in London."

"You're a world traveler."

"At this point, yeah, I am. You got a game tomorrow?"

"No, we're off tomorrow. I think you'll like this. I've convinced a few of the guys to come with me tomorrow to see you guys play."

"You're really going to come?"

"Yeah. I told you I would. Now that I know you're here in the same city as me, I have to. it'll probably be the only time it happens. I gotta take my chances."

"I'll make sure to put on a show."

"You better. How was today?"

"Long. We played five sets. Won in the end but just really tiring."

"I usually have your games on in the clubhouse."

"They let you put it on?"

"I've told you before that it gives us something different to watch before our games. They get hyped up when a long rally ends in you guys getting a point."

"Your vocab is getting stronger."

"I thought so too. Why'd you have to go back to the arena?"

I bring my legs up to the couch, crossing them since my dress is a bit short when I sit, "Brazil had a late match tonight and that's who we play at noon tomorrow so my coach wanted us to go watch a few clips from their match and prep ourselves for that.

"Are they good?"

"They got silver last year in the Olympics, so yeah, I'd say pretty good."

"So you beat them last year?"

"We swept them but that doesn't mean they won't give us a run for our money tomorrow."

"Fair enough." He gets up, "Want a water?"

"Sure. I'm taking my shoes off. I hope you don't mind."

"I was wondering why you still had them on."

I chuckle at his comment and take off my heels, setting them aside next to the couch. "I assume it's different than baseball, but how do you watch film? I feel like in baseball, it's a lot of watching what pitch is thrown rather than what plays are being made."

He hands me a water bottle before sitting down next to me. "It's hard to explain. Actually, I have my iPad so I can just show you."

I take my iPad out of my bag and set it next to me. I scoot closer to him so he can see. "Do they provide these too?"

"This is my personal iPad but if we want one, yeah, they do."

I go to the film we just went over at the arena and set it up so it's bigger. "The software that every team uses can break it down by player. So we all know who the big names are on each team and what they're capable of so we look at what good things they do and what they didn't do. It'll highlight service errors. So like this girl had eighteen highlighted plays in her match today. A lot of those will be the same type of play and we'll plan out how to work around that."

"So you don't watch the entire game?"

"No. We just look at the highlighted players of each match and go from there."

"So does this tell you about your own stats?"

"Yeah, it can."

"Well, let's see them."

"I'd like to preface that I normally wouldn't look at my own stats but because you insist, I will."

"I gotta recognize greatness when it comes to me."

"These are from today," I tell him, hitting play, and letting him watch it.

I feel his arm go down to the back of the couch. I felt him look at me while I watched myself make a great dig, for once in my life.

"Watch," I tell him.

I hear him quietly laugh. "Damn what did that girl do to you?" he asks. I may or may not have accidentally hit a girl in the face with my kill.

"She was in my way."

"That's your excuse?"

"Not my fault she didn't get the ball up."

"And I'm the cocky one."