Had a definite first today in my 7/8 grade match - a male player! Yes, a male player.....
The visiting team showed up, and sure enough, there was a redheaded boy who was about a head taller than any of the girls on the court from either side. A quick talk with the coach, and she outlined the big time qualifications this kid had to go through to play - remember that NY is the place that had the big brouhaha about a male player in one of the State Championships last year - and she said how he was 'ok' as a player, but had lots to learn....just like any other player! Watching him play (I was R2 for the first two sets - in this county in our area, most of the schools like playing at LEAST four...sometimes five or six sets for their 7/8 matches!), the only REAL advantage he seemed to have was in his service - while most of the girls at this level barely get back of the end line, and take that one step in we allow, he went right to the back of the gym almost, and used BIG booming leaping serves - still hit more than a few into the net, and since the rest of his team was not too good, so his team lost the first four (out of five) sets. I was R1 for the fifth set (another tradition of ours at this level - after the second or third set the R1 & R2 switch, when playing these multiple set matches), and the two teams were trading off on the lead at the end, when this kids team finally had a chance to win - he had not played at all in this set - guess what? The coach subbed him in for service at 27-26! But to her credit, made him come up to the line....but he still served an ace, and they won their only set of the match....
An interesting experience, to say the least! The most difficult thing was to keep from saying, "Nice match, ladies!' afterwards....it came out, "Nice match, Lad...er...gir...ummmm...Nice match!"
Anyone else out there encounter this?