F I R S T P E R S O N
Team: “What was your most inspirational moment?” Setter Court- ney Thompson offered an inspirational answer that we’re sharing with you here.
I was talking with (USA libero) Tama (Miyashiro) last night about your email [asking us to share our most inspirational moment], and we were discussing how it’s so hard to pick one. There were so many “little” moments that had such an impact on our lives and where we are today, and it’s such a process. Sports are so humbling. There are constant trials, frustrations, moments of success, and countless setbacks, and when you learn from them it just adds a deeper level of understanding of not only the game but of yourself. The latter may be the most important tool to draw confidence from in a perceived tough moment. Anyhow, here’s the one that I keep coming back to:
Our sports psychologist, Mike Gervais, tells us that the biggest catalyst of change is a painful experience. One of the most inspiring moments of my career was sitting in my dorm room in the Olympic Village the day after our team lost in the gold-medal match in the 2012 London Olympics. I can still smell the room, feel the pit in my stomach, hear the other athletes running around outside – all relaxing since the games were over. And I can still taste the feeling of what our locker room felt like after that game. I was sitting in my room with Tama and Christa Harmotto Dietzen, and we went over everything: how we were feeling, how it all went so fast, what we wish we did differently. Most important, the conversation quickly left the subject of what had happened and changed to what could happen. I’ll never forget that talk with two of my best friends as we sat there, looked at each other and all agreed that we would have to come back for a shot at an- other Olympics. With very few words, the three of us committed to doing everything within our power to help this team and this program get back to the Olympic final, the pinnacle of our sport. Equally important to us was how we were going to do it. What would this program stand for? What would we be about? How would we represent our country? How would we impact the community around us as we strive to reach our full potential every day?
These were the thoughts that consumed us and ignited the fire. It was such a powerful moment after such an intense experience of play- ing in our first Olympics, mixed with the heartbreak of not playing our best when we most wanted to. The motivation that was locked in at that moment was like nothing I had ever felt before. I go back to it all the time. And within me, it’s the foundation of what we’ve worked so hard to build. It’s something that I’m incredibly thankful for; I know I wouldn’t be the player or person I am without going through all of that. It’s also a special experience to go through highs and lows such as this with close teammates. Every time Tama and Christa or any other
60 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
usavolleyball.org/mag
inspirational moment E
My most by Courtney Thompson | via Tim Toy’s blog site
JamTheGym.com
ditor’s note: Tim Toy, founder of
JamTheGym.com, recently posed this question to members of the U.S. Women’s National
ON THE BALL: Setting or serving, former Washington standout Courtney Thompson is a solid contributor for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.
teammate shares her dreams and ideas for what could be, it adds to that level of motivation. The power in committing to something as a group never ceases to amaze me, and I’m thankful for every teammate that continues to bring inspiration every day.
So there is life after disappointment, refocus after tears and heart- ache. I have been amazed at the work ethic I’ve seen in this team, and now I know its genesis. Defeat is our greatest teacher, and the lessons from that dorm room in London propelled the Americans to the top of the podium in Milan last year at the World Championship, the first gold medal at a major tournament in the history of the program. And now it’s pushing us toward our ultimate goal, a gold medal in Rio at next summer’s Games.
The band got back together in Anaheim in May, and through com- petitions and repetitions we will continue the march toward Rio. We can’t wait to see where this group will go.
PHOTOS: JORDAN MURPH / USA VOLLEYBALL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76