Editorial: Reflections on Rachel

C&V realizes we have precisely zero insight into the specifics as to why Rachel Holloway decided to leave Nebraska after her sophomore season. The occasion of her leaving, however, provides a good opportunity to remind ourselves that we all have to keep the game in proper perspective. Volleyball is a good thing, but it isn't the only thing. Here's how some coaches, parents and athletes have learned to avoid burnout:

• PLAY INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL The mother of a player at a major D1 university (not an in-state school) once told a C&V editor that she couldn't believe the coaches allowed the team to participate in intramural basketball during the off-season. Not only did they win the basketball league, they went on to have one of the school's best volleyball seasons ever the following fall. Go figure.


• DON'T QUIT THE BOWLING TEAM UNTIL YOU HAVE TO An athlete from this state (not a volleyball player) would eventually rise so high in his sport that he would hold a world record. The path to that world stage, however, didn't keep him from being on the bowling team when other athletes in his sport were already training nearly 24/7.


• SAY NO TO THE OCCASIONAL "ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME" OPPORTUNITY Getting invited to an elite camp is an opportunity not granted to everyone. The invitation should be cherished. But accepting every last invitation to every last "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity could lead to burnout (or injury).

As the club season kicks into overdrive, we sincerely hope every player is able to enjoy the game of volleyball.