dusting off shoes
flexing fingers
pulling up knee pads

twisting hair into braids
yanking at too-tight spandex
bending, stretching arms and legs

the smell of deodorant
icy hot and sweat
fill the locker room

Chant and cheer, hyping up
Squeak squeak shoes on the court
hands together, almost ready

stepping up, behind the line
Deep breath, one, two
Raise the ball, balancing carefully

upon delicate fingertips
arm comes back, deep breath again
Swing, smack, serve

Cheers as the ball soars over
that glorious net, ever teasing
Run, quickly, back into play

Pass it up so she can set
Set it up so she can hit
Hit it down so we can score

25 twice