Students satisfy aspirations to play volleyball through one-credit class
By: Spencer Gleason
-Sports Editor-
By: Shah Jahan Ali
-Staff Writer-
Since the previous athletic cuts went into effect in July 2010 and all STLCC campuses were cut down to five sports each, STLCC-Meramec has been without a volleyball team. However, that has not stopped the students from spiking the ball over the net.
In order to graduate, students must have two P.E. credits. With so many options, students often sign up for a class of which their heart desires, regardless of whether or not they know how to play. They just play for the fun of the game.
“I signed up for volleyball because I haven’t played since the fifth grade,” said first-year student Melissa Myers.
“I kind of missed it. I just wanted to get back into the field of playing it.”
Taking the P.E. classes also gives students the opportunity to stay active and remain healthy.
“It’s a great exercise,” said volleyball instructor SuzAnne Paez. “Some of the students say they don’t want to go to their next class because they have been in here exercising. It’s just fun because it’s what you put into it. You can make it very competitive or just make it fun.”
Some of the students that participate in the class already have some volleyball experience.
“Mostly everybody has played volleyball in some respect, but not on a league,” said Paez. “They just play recreationally without rules.”
Both of the Volleyball I and Volleyball II classes are held together. Each class has its own goals and objectives they need to reach by the end of the semester. The wide range of level of plays allows all players of all skill to participate. Paez, who has been instructing volleyball classes at Meramec for 11 years, said she has seen it all.
“Some just come in to gain knowledge of volleyball. I also have some students who have accomplished their two credits they need for graduation. It’s just a combination—whole game of students.”
Through volleyball classes, the game is spiking to new heights of popularity allowing students to have fun, stay fit and stretch one credit closer to graduation.
“If you have never played volleyball before it shows you the real skills—how to play the game,” said Myers. “If you have played, it’s really fun and gets you right back into it.”
