Nike President’s Day Classic - STL

This past weekend, I drove up to St. Louis for the Nike President’s Day Classic to watch some of the girls I mentor compete, and it meant more to me than I expected.

Walking into a convention center filled with courts, whistles, parents, coaches, and young athletes chasing the next point took me right back to my own club days. The game has grown so much. The competition is stronger, the exposure is greater, and the opportunities are bigger than ever. It was inspiring to see how far volleyball has come.

But more than anything, it made me grateful.

Watching those girls play reminded me of the countless weekends my parents spent in gyms just like that. The early mornings. The long drives. The hotel stays. The financial sacrifice. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it took to keep me in the game. Now I do.

Sports don’t just build athletes. They build families. They build work ethic. They build confidence that carries far beyond the court.

Being there not as a player, but as a mentor, felt full circle. It reminded me why I care so much about keeping girls engaged in sports. Because somewhere in those crowded gyms are future leaders, future business owners, future mothers, and future difference-makers — and sometimes all they need is someone who believes in them.

This weekend was a reminder of where I started and why it matters to keep showing up.