The positive example the teams set for each other resonated with everyone. Jessica says, "A lot of the time there have been problems with other teams we've played, and people get angry with each other. Attitudes aren't always great." But when these two teams got together, they focused on the positive and fostered an environment of healthy and encouraging competition.
The girls learned that competition doesn't have to be negative and that with good sportsmanship, competition can motivate them to play better. Sara Pena, the Western Hills coach, has noticed that healthy competition can bring out the best in the players. "Playing your best can help athletes grow in their own talent and achieve something," she says. "Competition isn't about seeing if you're better than someone else. It's about seeing where your diligence and strength will take you."
The Jordan team agrees that attitude makes the difference between healthy and negative competitiveness. Marie says, "Together as a group, we decided that being too competitive isn't fun."
Kim agrees. "We shouldn't take the game too seriously. We like to make each other laugh instead."
The girls helped each other improve by teaching each other new skills. When Jael Blanco first started playing with the Western Hills team, she didn't know how to play volleyball very well, but Coach Pena taught her the rules and encouraged her to keep trying. "Sometimes when I play a new sport, I feel like people care only about winning," says Jael. "It's not as much fun, because really I just want to learn. Sara taught me how to play volleyball, but she also taught me how to have fun with it."
After the joint practice, the two teams faced each other in the championship match. Kathy says, "The Western Hills girls weren't the enemy anymore. They were just people—friends—and it wasn't intimidating. It was a completely different feeling playing that last game."
The girls were cheering for their own teams, but the game wasn't laced with tension like the previous year's had been. The Jordan team won in a reversal from last year's championship, but a more significant reversal took place. More than caring about which team won, this year the girls celebrated athletic skill and a good game.