The recent World Volleyball Championships in Japan last month were a glass half full, half empty kind of experience for Roberts Creek's Kyla Richey.
Team Canada put in the effort and improved in every match, but the results just didn't come, as Canada finished 22nd in the 24-team tournament.
Despite that, Richey said the experience was amazing.
"It had been a tough summer in regards to not doing as well as we believe we can or should have done. It's amazing, though, how we have just re-grouped after each loss or after each tournament and will work even harder for the next competition coming up," said Richey, who emailed Coast Reporter after the tournament while continuing to tour Japan. "After our big win against Cuba in Winnipeg before we set off for Japan, we all really believed that we were going to do well at World Championships. It's not to say that we didn't do well -we definitely did, and improved with each game -we just did not get the results we wanted."
Richey said it was evident that the only thing holding them back from making those really close losing games into a win was game experience.
"Europe just has a stronger league than our league, and I think next year our coach will be planning some more exhibition games and trips for us to do overseas," she said. "It has nothing to do with our skill or desire -we are right there with the top teams in the world, which is just so exciting to see and be a part of."
While competing with Team Canada, Richey said she and teammate Jen Hinze have been keeping tabs on the UBC Thunderbirds who are 10-6 (6-2 in conference play) without the two stars in their line-up.
"For me, it doesn't feel like school should be in session, or that I am missing first term right now. I've been so focused on volleyball and World Championships over the past six months, it's going to be an interesting change to go back to school and CIS volleyball in January, although I am extremely excited to play with the Birds again," Richey said. "I feel that I have improved leaps and bounds with my personal play on the court in many different aspects. I took my role as the first sub off the bench and tried to be that player who came in to turn the game around and make a difference. I felt that I did my job and I could feel that my teammates really trusted me when I came in, which is sometimes hard to get.
"Overall it was a really great experience for me and the team. I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to experience that, and I'm only 21. A few girls on our team who are 30 years old have been waiting nine years to go to World Championships, and the fact that I made this team and got to experience that at 21 is truly a blessing."
