Volleyball classes teach elements of ‘lifetime sport’
By: AARON MCCALL
Staff Writer
On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. during the Fall 2014 semester, Instructor SuzAnne Paez surveys students tossing around the ball – a volleyball – in the Meramec gymnasium. The class is worth one credit hour and any student can enroll.
“We have two volleyball classes – Volleyball 1 and Volleyball 2. Volleyball 1 learns the basics. Volleyball 2, students learn and execute the spike, overhand serve and setting strategies,” Paez said.
Paez said both classes are together so students end up learning everything as a whole. Paez said she has been teaching the class for 17 years and played volleyball in high school.
“If you like sports, even if you do not, you will enjoy it. We have fun, get exercise, you learn strategy, and you learn how to play the game without really knowing it,” Paez said.
The physical education class is open to all STLCC students with varying levels of skill, Paez said.
“I think it is an easy game to follow. I think anyone could understand it and enjoy it if they were to go to a game. It is a fast pace when you get two good teams going,” Paez said.
Paez said volleyball is a sport that people young and old can participate in. It is a good sport for socialization. The skills needed to play volleyball can be applied to everyday activities, said Paez.
“Volleyball is like working with a team in an office. You know your weak spots and you work around those and with those,” Paez said. “Everybody has a different way of saying something, but yet they mean the same thing so you have to learn your teammates. You have to know who you are working with.”
According to Paez, volleyball teaches lifelong skills.
“It is a lifetime sport. You learn cooperation, communication. You learn how to work out problems sharpen your skills of observation, and listening skills. It involves a little bit of everything from everyday life,” Paez said.
