Colony coach turning rough start into positive experience

Coach's comments, by Bryce Ray

Quality of character would be a fitting description of the Colony varsity volleyball team this year. The character of the players has shined brightly as this team has faced several difficult circumstances and has emerged the better for it.

First, finding a coach took time. When I took the job, there was not an opportunity to gather the team together before summer break. Continuity would have to wait. Several of the team leaders kept encouraging the others to maintain a positive attitude and be ready for the beginning of season.

Finally the team camp at UAA rolled around at the end of July, and we were able to put our team together. It was good to meet the girls and get to know them. However, that time was cut short.

On Wednesday of that week I sought a doctor's advice for an ulcer problem I was having. An ulcer was not the problem, it was my heart. That night I found myself at Providence Hospital and on Saturday, just two days before tryouts, I had quadruple bypass heart surgery.

Again, the team's character was tested. They now had a new coach who wasn't going to be at tryouts. Instead of falling apart, they came together.

The coaching staff, comprised of Amy Carter, Lance Pietry, and my daughter, Rhonda Ray, stepped up and took over the responsibility of tryouts. Video tapes of players were brought to the hospital and Lance made two trips to discuss the players' abilities.

Cuts were made and practice began. The team's character was again tested. Rhonda, who last year was a Palmer advisor, would coach the team until my return.

The team responded remarkably. On my return, it became apparent that a bond between players and coach had been molded and the character of the team was evident. I almost felt unneeded.

Then tragedy struck. McKenzy Menard, our senior middle, lost her older brother to a plane crash. We attended the funeral as a team. I was very proud of the girls as they felt McKenzy's pain and moved to be there for her. Again, their character shined brightly through this remorseful time.

Obviously our start was clouded with adversity but you wouldn't know it to be around the team. They play with zeal, a positive competitive spirit and quite often a smile. It is a privilege to coach them and to be a part of their lives.

Winning will not be easy in our district this year. The Peninsula teams are strong and will be a threat. Volleyball guru Steve Reynolds always has his Palmer team fine-tuned and is always hard to beat. We play them at Colony tonight.

Although we were fortunate enough to beat Wasilla at the Homer Jamboree, I know that to beat them again will take an incredible effort from every member of the team. We will be playing them at home on Oct. 12.

I want to thank the community for your prayers and support. Please set some time aside to come and support us at a game. Get to know these girls.

Your life will be richer for it, and you will see, as I have, they are of quality character.

Bryce Ray is the head coach of the Colony varsity volleyball team.