"Giving girls a chance to fly"
Watsonville
Starlings Volleyball
Club
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Literary/Art Contest
Submissions...
"What does it mean to be a Starling"
What It Means To Be A Starling - 2007
Respect - Starlings all over the country demonstrate respect in many ways.   We respect everybody
around us, which includes our coaches, teammates, opponents on the court, referees, family, and
friends.  If we ever have problems with anybody from our team we do not disrespect them. We try
to solve our problems by talking and we leave our problems at the door and off the court.  
Sometimes we make mistakes, and if we begin to argue the team begins to fall apart.   Showing
respect helps us get through our problems and solve them so we can begin to play better and
closer as a team.   

Focus - Starlings are very focused players. We always try to focus on the game and nothing else
while we are on the court.   As students we also try and focus on school, and as starlings we have
to maintain our grades.   Doing our best in a game is a good way to show we play to win but we also
have fun doing it.   Playing gets our mind off of problems and other things that cause us stress.   
We live in an area of Watsonville, CA where girls our age are beginning to get involved in gangs,
drugs and some are even having children of their own.  It scares us all sometimes that we could
get lost in this crazy city but staying focused on what it means to be a Starling helps us appreciate
the opportunities volleyball offers.

Attitude - On the court we support each other by giving being positive when mistakes are made.   
As a Starling we do not get upset by loosing a game, and focus on your own mistakes before the
next game to see what we can and will do to get back on our feet to succeed and get better. We
maintain a great attitude and are attentive to our teammates when they have something to say
about how we can do better
.
Discipline - Discipline is something that we have to show on the court to make sure that we do our
best each game.  To be a Starling is to always demonstrate good conduct and represent Starlings
volleyball all day every day. Following directions is something we always try to do.  There are times
when we begin to fall apart but with good discipline, we are usually able to regain our focus and
learn from our mistakes.  Being a Starling means to have great sportsmanship and we do not get
disappointed when we loose, we know if we tried the best we will win next time.

Trust – We have to trust each other. When we're on the court we must communicate with each
other and know that if we communicate, we will always have each other as support.   We depend on
each other and communicate so we can make as few mistakes on the courts as possible. When we
do begin to argue, we must trust each other to be able to get past the drama and refocus on what
we have accomplished this season as athletes.  

Passion -  We love volleyball.  Passion comes a long way for us in volleyball and it will also get us
farther when we use it to keep us focused on our goals for later on in life.   As a Starling volleyball
player we have plans and goals for the future.  We maintain good grades in school and look forward
to attending a University.  Starlings are very appreciative to all of the people who have helped us
get so far.  Our parents support us when we lose and cheer for us when we are winning!  All of us
remember how we started the season and the skills we had difficulty with.  We have learned the
tools we need such as healthiness, creativity and discipline that has helped us to be were we are
today at this young age.   We strive to reach all of our expectations on the court but we also try to
incorporate these values into our daily lives, both academically and personally. We also do our best
for our own good to get better.  We are Starlings.


- Watsonville Starlings
9th grade

To be a Starling...
Is to be free from life
To be full of life
To become focused
And stay focused
No one can stop you
Only you can stop yourself
Becoming a Starling
Is to be given a chance to live
A chance to play
And a chance to fly.
- Jakie Rocha 9th grade
Why Do I Like Volleyball - 2008

Let me count the many reasons.
It is a fun team sport,
which I love to play throughout the seasons.
Even though my skills may lack,
my coach and teammates have my back.
I really like my volleyball coach,
he always encourages me to be the most.
To be a Starling fills me with pride,
and is more fun than a theme park ride
Academics here are very stressed,
it is something we must all address.
To my Starlings sisters at this event,
to make your acquaintance is my intent.
And in conclusion I will say this,
my name is Karla your little sis

- Karla Munoz, 7th Grade
Watsonville Starlings 14-1
Our Passion - 2008

Starlings volleyball is the name,
when we play we really get into the game
Bump, set, and spike takes a lot of skill,
the more you practice the better the kill.
Volleyball is a key to the heart,
which is why we play so smart.
We stay low to receive the serve,
we play it out and get the point we deserve.
We approach the net and jump so high,
like a Starling flying through the sky.
we may be small but we play like pros.
We try to keep our heads in the game,
and that fact we will never change.
Volleyball is not just a sport,
it is our passion to be on the court!

- Aimee Hernandez, 8th Grade
Watsonville Starlings 14-1
Aimee Hernandez, 8th Grade
Watsonville Starlings 14-1
What Starlings means to me - 2008

Volleyball like the Earth
Players make the flock of birds
Trying to fly and reach the stars.
Obstacles on and off the court
Interfere with our game
But overcoming these barriers is like
flying over a bright moon in a pitch
black sky.
On the court we all play different roles
But we all have the similar goals
In the end all Starlings learn to fly
On the earth and in the sky.

- Jackie Rocha, 10th Grade
Watsonville Starlings 16-1
204 Broadway
Santa Cruz Ca, 95060
831.588.5853
coach@watsonvillestarlings.com