Volleyball!!

I didn't get to play (which would have been awesome) but I got to attend the Super Cup, which takes the national men's volleyball champions, and pits them against the winners of the Champion's League (which in the world of French volleyball, is basically always the same two teams - Tours and Paris).  We had VIP seats (there are perks to this internship after all)

I went with two of my co-workers, Candice and Lynne

Lynne, Candice, me...after a long day of work, so no judging :)

Lynne is Canadian, from New Brunswick, I believe (look that one up).  She speaks French and English fluently, and her French has a wonderful, almost Quebecois-like lilt to it, which I love.

Candice is from the Alsace region of France and she is also doing a Master's program, though it's through a Swiss university.  They're both awesome!

A quick note about volleyball in France.  The stands here held less than the Smith Fieldhouse at BYU, so of course there were fewer fans (they were just as enthusiastic as BYU fans, however).  Lynne made the comment that collegiate volleyball and sports in general are really well-developed in the states and Canada, while professional leagues are less-common.  France, on the other hand, doesn't really do collegiate sports, so professional leagues and clubs are more important.  It was an interesting point...aside from the national teams, I couldn't think of a major professional volleyball team in the states.  It's all college teams.  Crazy.  Where do college volleyball players go after they graduate? 

Back to the match...so many things to say...where to start...?

OK, Tours, in my opinion, is a way better team (and they won, so there...justified) and here's why: SERVICE! Their serves were sooo strong! 

 
Paris was probably more consistent in getting it over, but the serves were rarely hit with any real force...more like lobs.  They were trying for a float serve (???...my English vocab is dying) but it wasn't super effective. Tours definitely hit the net more, but the when it got over, Paris' team was like

 

I'm still laughing from some of the moments last night. 

Volleyball culture in France is very similar to the states (I wonder why...) Lots of pumping music, intimidation tactics during opposing serves, etc.  The one thing they couldn't get right was letting "We Will Rock You" get to the lyrics part of the song so I could sing along :)  Whatevs.

They've also adopted a lot of the English vocab during play, like calling a ball "out" instead of "dehors."  One thing missing, either in French or English, was the idea of a side out.  Of course it exists, but they don't have a one-word, simple version of it.

 

Something they had that we definitely do NOT have in volleyball is cheerleaders...

I won't lie - two things made this painful...no, thr...ok so many things made this painful.

1) Not necessarily their skill level, but rather that these adolescent, club cheerleaders were at a professional, national sporting event

2) Scratch the first part of #1. Their skill level. Honestly...I couldn't even...No.

3) They didn't really do any leading of cheers.  I'll leave #3 at that.

4) SO OUT OF CONTEXT!!!! Volleyball is not a cheerleading sport!

I'm sure I'll think of other things, probably meaner things, to say...I'm a brat, I know.  Message me if you want the deets.  Needless to say I was giggling out of discomfort for them.

It was a really good night, though.  Tours won (they also two Americans and a giant Canadian on their team...so maybe I'm biased in being happy for them)

I took this at the moment the little confetti canons went off.  Oh, that libero on the front row (the guy in the dark blue, the digger or passer) was insane...both in his skills and probably medically.  I can't count the number of times he jumped on his teammates like a little...I wanna say demon?...monkey?...I'm not sure.  He just latched right on, screaming his guts out any time they scored.  I was dying of laughter.

Une soirée réussie !