The Wildcats served and the game began. After the first few volleys, it became clear to Melody that it would not be an easy match. She predicted it would come down to the team making the least number of mistakes. Melody was playing well and occasionally heard her name being cheered. Union High had a good crowd supporting them, as did Three Rivers. Melody felt many eyes on her, including those belonging to the girls of the Pontiac team. She remained calm and concentrated on the ball and her teammates’ positions.
Union High won the first set 15-13. They also won the second set 15-12. This gave Melody a feeling of comfort. Melody doubted Three Rivers could come back and win three sets in a row, but after a lifetime of watching sports with her father, she knew anything was possible. The third set proved to be one of Melody’s best games ever. She scored ten of her team’s points, including three aces, but the Chieftains went down in defeat 15-11. Coach Heucke was furious, believing her team had gotten too comfortable with their win margin. After the loss, Coach Heucke called them out as the team gathered around her.
“You went soft. Why?” she demanded. “You let up and handed them the win! Melody can’t do this by herself. This is what we’ve waited all year for! If you don’t want to be champions, then get back on the bus right now!” Coach Heucke paused a moment as she looked each player in the eye. “Take back the momentum and put them on their heels. I will not tolerate another loss today, ladies!”
The team responded, possibly out of fear, and played their hardest. The result was a 15-9 victory. The Union High crowd rose to their feet as the teams shook hands under the net. Coach Heucke crossed the court, shook hands, and had some words with the opposing coach. Melody sensed they knew each other. After returning to the sidelines, Melody looked in the stands and saw her proud parents, Mr. Shaddock, and several classmates still applauding enthusiastically. Smiling with exuberance, Melody waved cheerfully upon hearing her name. When Melody turned back around, her smile disappeared. Three girls from the Pontiac team were staring at her.
***
Back in the hotel room, Melody and Claire were still high off their win. “You were amazing today,” Claire said complementing her. “You’re easily the MVP.”
“Oh Claire, we were all good today,” Melody persisted. “It all comes down to tomorrow. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”
“I am not losing to a bunch of snotty prep-school girls. They think they are so much better than us. We’ll show them all tomorrow.”
“Hurry up and get dressed,” Melody said. “My parents are coming to pick me up for dinner and I’m inviting you.”
“Are you sure?”
“My team captain is not going to sit in this room by herself and eat canned tuna on the night before the championship. Here’s a twenty, just give me the change when we get back.”
“Thank you, Melody.”
Melody and Claire checked out with the coach and waited in the lobby. When Melody’s parents arrived, both her and Claire got into the back seat of the Aspen. Knowing it had good food and service, Douglas drove everyone to the truck stop diner. After Douglas parked in the lot, Claire mentioned that her cousin had just started trucking. “He’s down in Oklahoma driving cattle cars.”
“Oh, none of that for me,” Douglas said. “I prefer my freight boxed, on pallets, and inanimate.”
Soon, the Mivsheks and their guest were in a booth looking at menus. Barbara remembered Claire from previous visits to the house and wondered if anything was going on between her and Melody in the hotel room. She felt uneasy but decided to mind her business and never ask her daughter anything about it. The waitress returned and took their orders. Douglas insisted on putting everything on one check and told Claire to keep her money after she ordered a chicken sandwich with fries. After Claire thanked him, the conversation continued, with tomorrow’s game being the subject matter.
“Those Pontiac girls aren’t as good as they think they are,” Claire said with disdain. “We’re going back to Dowagiac with that trophy.”
“You girls played a hell of a game today,” Douglas admitted. “Tomorrow is going to be Goliath versus Goliath.”
They continued talking, mostly about sports. Douglas reminisced about his high school football days and admitted that after four seasons, he never experienced a winning season.. Claire, who also played third base for the Union High softball team, said she was hoping to earn at least a partial scholarship for her athletic participation. Barbara mostly listened, as was her way. Her greatest concern was that Melody was going to miss church tomorrow morning. Melody was glad she invited Claire. She was happy to see her friend having a good time, even if it was just talking with her parents at a truck stop. The four of them sat and talked a little longer after their meals had been finished and the table cleared. When it was fifteen minutes after nine, Claire insisted they return.
“I know all about coaches and curfews,” Douglas assured her. “We’ll get you back on time.”
After returning to the hotel and saying goodnight to the Mivsheks, Claire and Melody did room check. They reported to Coach Heucke a little before ten to give their account. Everyone was in their assigned room.
“Tomorrow is our day,” Ingrid told them. “I don’t have to tell you how much I am depending on you two. Get some sleep tonight.”
At noon, the team checked out of the hotel and returned to the arena for the final time. The match was scheduled for 2PM. Not a word was spoken during the bus ride. Some girls just looked out the window, trying to stay calm. Some girls prayed. Melody thought of Becky and how wonderful it would have been if she had been here this weekend. Her eyes moistened as she let some of her favorite memories run through her mind. Melody silently contemplated that there was nothing she would not do just to spend five more minutes with her.
The team arrived and Coach Heucke went to check in with Claire’s assistance. Pontiac had arrived before them, and their crowd was already making noise. Melody kept her calm demeanor. She knew her abilities and had confidence in her team. Melody and the other seniors knew this would be their last game ever for Union High. They were prepared to leave everything on the court, because after this game, win or lose, it was all over. After a grueling post-season, only one school stood in their way from bringing home the regional championship trophy. The Chieftains could not have been more ready.
After warmups, both teams returned to their respective sidelines. The crowd was massive. Both Pontiac and Union High had overwhelming support, while Battle Creek locals came to watch the final game as they did every year. Melody was feeling the pressure, but would not show it, not in front of her parents, classmates, alumni, and facility. She just wanted to do her best, as she had done all year. The team gathered around the coach for last minute instructions.
“This is going to be your hardest game, but I know you can do it,” Coach Heucke began. “Get them in the back corners. That may be the key to our success. Keep the game at an even pace, don’t let them dictate the tempo. They like a fast game, so don’t let them run wild. Keep a leash on them. When you get ahead, do not let up, they are not a come from behind team. They start fast and build their score quickly. Maintain control. You girls know each other better than you know yourselves. Help each other and fill the holes. I know you girls can win this. Now go, get out there.”
The Chieftains took the court as their crowd cheered. Melody heard her name being yelled by strangers but ignored it. She would not let anything distract her. She became more focused as her intensity grew. Melody frowned and repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fists as she shifted her weight back and forth on the balls of her feet. Finally, both teams were in position. Melody would start in the center of the back row. Pontiac served first and an extremely fast jump serve came right at Melody. She bumped it as the crowd roared. The game had begun.
From the beginning, both teams tried to exploit the slightest opportunity they could find, but there was very little. It was as if there was only one team on the court competing against their own reflection. Melody’s serves were returned without great effort, but Pontiac found it difficult to spike effectively against the Chieftains. By the time the score was tied at seven, enough time had gone by for a full set to have already been played. It would prove to be a battle of attrition, as both coaches realized the only way to win was to wear the other team down. Coach Heucke warned the players on the bench to be ready at a moment’s notice to substitute. Eventually, Pontiac Notre Dame won the first set 16-14. As the Chieftains returned to the sideline for drinks, Coach Heucke congratulated them.
“Excellent,” she said. “You fought hard all the way to game point. Keep it up. I think they’re tired.”
Even though Melody was sweating profusely and breathing hard, Coach Heucke decided to keep her in. If the Chieftains could manage to win the second set, she would substitute Melody out for the third. Coach Heucke did pull out three starters and replaced them with a dependable senior and two fresh juniors who had proved themselves reliable.
Melody was ready for another fast-paced set as adrenaline flowed through her veins like fire. She served the ball to start the second set and aced the serve into the far-left corner of the opposing side. The crowd cheered loudly as Melody prepared to serve again. Many of the locals were now cheering for the scrappy Union High team that refused to back down. Melody served again, this time to the opposite corner, but the ball was returned. The action-filled stalemate began again as both teams fought for any advantage they could. With the score 12-10, in favor of Union High, Coach Heucke kept a very close eye on Melody. She was getting tired. None of her players were used to playing sets that lasted this long. Even her three fresh substitutes were tiring. She noted that Pontiac had substituted four players for this set and were also feeling the strain. Thankfully, Union High squeezed out a win and took the second set 15-13. Melody came to the sidelines with her head hung low.
“How are you, Melody?” Coach Heucke asked.
“I’m getting wore out, Coach,” she answered in between breaths. “But I’m OK.”
“Hit the bench,” Ingrid told her. “I need you rested for set four. If we can pull off this next set, I like our chances.
Melody did as she was told and sat down with a cup of water. Her teammates patted her shoulders as they went in to face Pontiac again. Melody could not believe how long the sets were lasting but hoped set three would be equally long so she could get some rest. Melody hydrated herself as her pulse finally returned to normal. She watched Pontiac, in the hopes of finding any weakness she could not see from the court. They were a good team, but Melody had no doubts the Chieftains would be victorious.
The third game proved to be just as long and hard fought as the previous two. The crowd had now reached a fevered pitch as the building became deafening. Watching the game as a spectator, Melody could fully appreciate the match that was taking place. She felt privileged to be a part of it and thought back to her tryout day as a freshman. She remembered trying so hard that day, despite her clumsiness and uncertainty. Now, she had to try even harder, just one more time. The third set ended with a Pontiac victory, 15-11.
Melody got back onto the floor for the fourth set. She would be playing alongside two fresh seniors, and three juniors. Claire was on the bench, but that suited Melody. She would want Claire in the game if they survived to play the fifth set. The season was on the line and Union High had to win the next two sets to be the champions. Melody knew her team was in a hole, but she was ready to fight out of it.
Sitting out the third set had done Melody good and she felt fresh and limber as the fourth set began. Things did not start off well, but under Melody’s leadership, the Chieftains made a spectacular comeback. The crowd cheered in approval as Union High overcame a 6-2 deficit and pulled ahead 7-6. With a couple of well-placed spikes and rare Pontiac mistakes, the Chieftains continued to dominate and improved the difference 13-8. Pontiac fought back hard, but Union High never allowed them to take back the lead. The Chieftains finally won 17-15, but it had been the longest match yet. Both teams were nearing exhaustion.
“It’s come down to this as I knew it would,” Coach Heucke told them. “We got to get to fifteen quickly. They are just as tired as you are, so reach down and play with your hearts! Keep hitting those corners, that’s how we’re getting the points. Once we get ahead, they can’t catch up, so take an early lead and keep pounding it. Don’t let them speed up the game, you wear them down. This is it, your last set for Union High. Go!”
The crowd was on its feet as the girls faced each other one final time. A rock concert could not have been louder. Melody was tired, but nothing was going to pull her out of this set. Five of the original starters were in position along with Jenna Yarnell, the best junior player. Coach Heucke had her finger on the trigger and would quickly replace any player she saw as a liability. She felt her reserve was better rested than Pontiac’s and believed it would give her the edge she needed. Ingrid was shaking with anticipation but kept the emotionless face her team had grown accustomed to.
Pontiac served first and launched the ball to the far corner to begin set five. Both teams were dug in and refused to give up any points. Melody was right in the thick of things and defended her position with her life. Pontiac tried to keep the ball away from her, but Melody seemed to be everywhere. Her serves, blocks, and kills frustrated her opponents, but Melody was not alone. Claire was also performing at peak level. As captain, she felt the most weight on her shoulders and could not bear the thought of letting her team down. Both teams had nearly exhausted each other by the time they tied 10-10.
Coach Heucke called timeout and sent in two substitutions. Eventually, only Melody and Claire would remain for the entire set. They were both playing better than could be expected, and Ingrid knew the team now lived or died with them. The majority of the crowd was now rooting for Union High, drowning out the cheers for Pontiac. Coach Heucke hoped it would help.
Victory was finally within grasp as Union High served the ball. The score was 14-13 in Pontiac’s favor, but Union High had scored three points in a row relatively quickly and had the momentum. This run proved to be short lived as a blocked spike ended their scoring drive. The ball was returned to Pontiac who were now serving for game point to end the match. The Chieftains had their backs against the wall, but the crowd was cheering wildly for them.
The ball came over the net with an incredible velocity and was bumped successfully by Daphne Tucker. Melody got under it and set it up perfectly for Claire, who was ready and positioned on the right side of the net. After setting her up, Melody quickly got into position to defend a block. Both Claire and the Pontiac player leaped for the ball, but Claire had a height advantage and slammed the ball over her opponent’s outstretched fingertips. The ball rocketed towards the corner where the Asian girl was positioned. Instead of defending, she quickly leapt aside. She had taken a gamble and won. It was so close, only the line judge could make the call. The ball landed less than an inch out of bounds. Game point was awarded to Pontiac. The match was over.
The Pontiac crowd erupted as the Notre Dame players broke into an exuberant celebration. Claire turned to face her own team. Her facial expressions went from shock, to denial, to utter dismay in a matter of seconds. Though her mouth moved, she could form no words. Her eyes said everything. She was begging forgiveness. As Claire’s eyes began to water, Melody ran to her. She threw her arms around her captain, kissed her on the cheek, and held her tightly. As if on cue, Melody and Claire felt more arms and hands on them. The Chieftains who had shared these final moments on the court with Melody and Claire, gathered around them. Then, the players on the bench rose, came forward, and joined the group hug. The entire building, even the Pontiac fans, applauded the emotional scene. No spectator in the Kellogg Arena would ever forget what they witnessed that afternoon. Photographers captured the moment for their various newspapers.
Coach Heucke walked across the court to congratulate the winning coach. She was a tall woman with dark hair, dark eyes, a thin frame, and wearing a blue business suit. When Coach Heucke offered her hand, the opposing coach shook it vigorously.
“Thank you. That was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said in disbelief.
“Yes,” Coach Heucke said with a smile to hide her disappointment. “We’ll see you again soon.” Ingrid winked, turned, and joined her own team who by now had begun to congratulate Pontiac.
***
Travelling back to Dowagiac, the bus was quiet. Neither Coach Heucke’s uplifting speech, nor the runner up trophy could raise anyone’s spirits. For the first time that year, the Chieftains volleyball team had tasted defeat, and it was bitter. Each player dealt with the loss in her own way. For some, the shock had not yet worn off. A few were still crying. The juniors were angry and already vowing to return next year. One player, however, took the loss worse than anyone and blamed herself harshly. Melody turned her head and saw Claire still sitting by herself in the back of the bus. She got up and walked down the aisle to join her.
“Hey, you OK?” Melody asked as she slid in next to her.
“No,” Claire mumbled. “We were so close. So close, and I blew it.”
“You didn’t blow it, Claire.”
“Yes, I did! I lost the game!” Claire cried.
“What do you mean you lost the game?” Melody scoffed. “Remember the second set when you scored a kill for game point? Did you win that game?”
“No.”
“What about the first set when my serve skimmed the net and we never got the ball back?” Melody asked. “Did I lose that game?”
“No,” Claire answered. “Of course not.”
“Then stop doing this to yourself,” Melody said. “We all did our best. Nobody is blaming you, so stop. We went further than any other team in school history. If you want to feel sorry for anyone, feel sorry for these freshmen. Look how high we set the bar. They’re going to be playing in our shadows, trying to accomplish what we did.”
Claire only nodded.
“Listen to me,” Melody continued. “Didn’t you see the trophy we got? Second place in the regional championship games is something to be proud of. For the rest of your life, that trophy will be on display in the hallway. You can take your kids and grandkids to see it. You’ll tell them you were the captain of the team who won that trophy.”
Claire considered this and smiled, despite herself.
“No one will ever fully understand what playing this year meant to me,” Melody concluded. “You all saved my life.”
“What do you mean?” Claire asked.
“You remember what I was going through last year? When I couldn’t even talk to you?”
Claire nodded.
“I was in a very dark place,” Melody explained. “I was going to kill myself. I still have the suicide letter I wrote. My aunt saved me, but it was my mother, Coach Heucke, you, and the rest of the team that got me back to normal. I love you all. When I look at the big picture, I don’t care that we lost. I’m just glad I was here to be a part of it.”
Turning to Melody, Claire’s face became even sadder. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know it was that bad… I knew there was something going on with you, but I was so busy. Oh God, that sounds awful. I should have come to your house. I should have tried harder to talk to you. Oh my God, if you had died… I never would have forgiven myself. Melody, I’m so sorry.”
Melody shook her head. “You couldn’t have done anything. Even if you had come over to talk to me, it wouldn’t have made any difference. I later found out my father had been screaming in my face. I didn’t even know he was there. I was too far gone.”
“Becky Valentine?” Claire asked.
Melody nodded.
Wrapping her arms around Melody, Claire said, “You don’t have to explain. It’s none of my business. I just know you two were… close.”
“Yeah,” Melody chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”
Claire kissed Melody on the cheek. “You’re right. What’s the big deal about a stupid trophy?”
Melody shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
With a thoughtful look, Claire said, “I guess sometimes we have to lose. It’s the only way we can see what’s really important
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