Team St Louis, The Adventures of Kelly and Gretchen
This is how it began:
So, there were two blondes in a bar...no really this is how we met.
Kelly and I had just graduated college. Kelly graduated from Jacksonville University in Florida. I had graduated from The University of Missouri St Louis. We both just so happen to be in the same bar Mike and Min’s blues club in St Louis. Kelly was drinking excessively making everyone do shots like she always does. Just kidding, for those people who are lucky enough to hang out with Kelly, they know she would never make anyone do too many shotsJ. She was talking about volleyball and the fact that in St Louis there was nobody that liked to play beach volleyball. By this time I was eavesdropping on the conversation because I heard the magic word…VOLLEYBALL. I immediately finagled my way into the conversation saying that I had never played beach volleyball, but would be interested in trying. We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet at the only sand court (at the time) in St Louis, Hanley Industrial Volleyball Court.
Gretchen’s Intro to Sand:
Remember the scene in Bambi where he’s on ice?
Instead replace it with quicksand. When Kelly said there weren’t any girls to play beach, she meant her own age. There were some women in the St Louis area that had actually been playing for quite some time and they beat everybody and scared off the new chicks. I show up to this sand court and there is Kelly who invited me out, and about four other women playing games. I knew nothing about beach volleyball. I just knew that I missed playing and I really wanted to play on a competitive level. I was so nervous to play that I was almost sick to my stomach. In my first match ever I didn’t even get to play with Kelly. Thank God because if she were my partner, she might of thought twice about ever playing again with me. I’m not sure what frustrated me more about playing sand? The fact that I really had played the sport of volleyball before but it didn’t look like it, or if the women who were double my age made it look so darn easy.
After a full day of tripping over my own feet, missing the ball completely, andgetting sore in places I didn’t know I had muscles, I vowed to get better, and Kelly offered to help.
Kelly the Educator:
In my six years of friendship and training I have learned many valuable lessons from Kelly. Kelly taught me everything about playing beach volleyball, but also life lessons:
- Tequila is no one’s friend (not even Carlos).
Ice cold Corona Light is GOOD! - When picking out the new season’s lucky swimsuits it’s important to consider looks and comfort. Also, to ensure a highly successful wear the suit needs to pass the bend and stoop test and the sure fire way not to have wardrobe malfunctions….
jump and wiggle! - When traveling for tournaments staying properly stocked withwater, trail mix, and the latest gossip magazines…clutch!
- Follow your dreams.
- Most importantly she has taught me how to be a better teammate and friend. She is the sister I always wanted to trade my brother in for (sorry Jason).
- 2002 Michigan City Tournament: Kelly and I arrive late on Friday night. It was looking like rain (monsoon actually) for Saturday so we thought it would be OK to knock out a couple bags of chocolate. I’m partial to Snickers, Kelly chocolate covered cashews, and then proceeded to see who could extend the tummy the farthest in the mirror. HOT!
- 2004 We are partners in crime…We both got our knees operated on within a week of each other. Ben and Jerry were really good to us…THE ICECREAM HELLO!
- 2005 Trying to leave for Huntington Beach from St Louis…Kelly loses her ID tells me to go ahead and go to the gate… I’m trying to hold the plane…Kelly is sprinting towards the gate….people are clapping as she is running to make the plane (I’m pretty sure I heard the song “Eye of the Tiger in the background”) yeah weird.
- If you haven’t experienced the after party it’s truly the celebration of a hard days work. Corona Light’s for everyone!!!!! At some point in the night it’s guaranteed I’m a member of the band along with Rasa, our Omaha Girls, Leanne, and my partner in crime Kelly Renee. Dance Off!
- Every road trip…Because we live no where near a beach, Kelly and I have had to drive or fly everywhere. Are longest driving trip, straight through only stopping for gas, Miami to St Louis.
(notice the disco ball……mmm running man!)
Secret to our Success:
Our chemistry on the court…win or lose we have a great time- laughing, yelling, and putting the ball away!
- We are both dedicated to beach volleyball and take time out to train to be successful.
- We are always positive even when there is improvement that needs to be made; we manage to change it together!!!
Want to know more?
If you enjoyed this article and would like to know more about your favorite players please email the evp tour and let them know.
Want to help Team St Louis?
If you are interested in sponsoring Team St Louis please contact:
beachvb6@yahoo.com
or
volleyballsponsor@yahoo.com