Volleyball Ace by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox [Maddox, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: student athlete;volleyball players;books for kids who like sports;sports fiction;Jake Maddox;Jake Maddox JV;chapter book;Stone Arch Books;books for kids 8-12;hi-lo;Cindy L. Rodriguez;9781496597014;9781496597526;9781496599179
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2020-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

COACH MEETING

At the end of the next school day, Layla headed to the locker room to change for the drop-in volleyball session. She made sure to avoid walking past Mrs. Fisher’s classroom.

When Layla entered the gym, she saw Grace practicing bump passes with Coach Eagan. Layla stopped in her tracks. She had always been the first player at practice.

“Hi, Layla,” Grace said after bumping a ball back to Coach Eagan.

“Hey, Grace,” said Layla.

Coach Eagan turned around and said, “She beat you to the gym, Sanchez.”

“I see that,” Layla said with a smile.

“It’s a good sign for the program,” said Coach Eagan. “We need dedicated sixth graders—especially since we’re losing so many talented eighth graders after this year.”

Layla didn’t know what to say. She was excited about moving on to the high school team, but she’d also miss her coach and teammates.

Other players entered the gym to practice. “Hey, girls,” Coach Eagan called. She tossed the ball to Layla and said, “Here. You work with Grace, and I’ll work with them.”

“Sure, Coach,” Layla said.

Grace beamed. She was obviously excited to work one-on-one with Ace Sanchez.

Layla led Grace through knee passes. Grace had one knee on the floor and the other to her side. Just like when she was standing, Grace held her ready position. Layla tossed the ball underhanded. Grace put her arms and thumbs together and bumped it back to Layla. After several of those, Layla moved so that she was on one side of the net and Grace was on the other.

“I’m going to aim it at different spots on your side of the net. I’ll call out left or right to give you a heads-up,” said Layla.

“Got it,” Grace said. She backed up and got in her ready position. Layla also backed up. She called out, “Right!” before lifting the ball and hitting it over the net toward Grace’s right side. Grace shuffled to her right and bumped it straight up. She caught it and sent it back to Layla.

“Stay on the right side until I serve. It’s going left, okay?” said Layla.

Grace nodded.

Layla didn’t serve with her full strength, but she sent it far to the left, almost to the out-of-bounds line. Grace started to shuffle but realized she’d have to run to reach the ball before it hit the ground. With a foot of space left between the ball and the floor, Grace dove with her arm extended. Her closed fist made contact with the ball.

“Whoo-hoo!” Layla cheered.

Grace smiled as she picked herself up off the floor.

Just then, Coach Eagan and a woman Layla recognized as Coach Keating walked toward the girls.

“Time out, ladies,” said Coach Eagan. “Coach Keating, this is Grace Velez. She’s a scrappy sixth grader, as you just saw. She already has solid skills. You’ll definitely want to come back and see her as an eighth grader.”

Grace smiled and waved hello.

Layla’s palms started to sweat as Coach talked about Grace. This is it, she thought. Breathe and don’t say anything stupid. Time to make a good impression.

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