Athletes who excel bring a little “nasty” to the table when they compete. Nasty in a good way. They are just mentally and physically tougher than their opponents. They have the desire and discipline to win.
Iola High’s athletes need to bring a little nasty to their game, as do several other teams in the area. Being nasty doesn’t mean cheap shots and dirty play. It’s about that toughness to work through the adversities athletes and teams encounter during a competition and in practices.
Nasty is intensity. It’s playing hard from whistle to whistle, never giving up and playing under control.
Wednesday night Allen County Community College’s volleyball players, especially sophomores Nicole Rockhold and Andrea Miller, unloaded some nasty at the net against Neosho County Community College. Everybody in the gym — including all of the NCCC Panther players — knew if the Red Devils needed a kill, they were going to set up Rockhold. She delivered with only nine errors in 54 attacks and
27 were kill shots. Miller had eight kills but helped work the net for one solo block and four block assists.
Those two girls are leading a group of freshmen by example — bringing a little nasty to the court.
Consistency is part of bringing a little nasty to the game. When a team is consistent in maintaining a high level of play, it gives itself the opportunity to succeed.
The intensity and consistency blends together to battle through the low points of a competition. It’s the bounce-back factor.
“We can bounce back from a long touchdown run and launch a strong march to the end zone ourselves.”
“We’ll stop them here.”
“We can set up the ball and get it back right now and serve for our own string of points.”
Yes, it is true sometimes the other team is just better. Take Thursday night with Kansas State and Nebraska. I was sure the Wildcats would win at home. I’m a K-State fan; I’m suppose to believe that.
The Cornhuskers were just flat out better. The Wildcats moved the ball earlier but didn’t score. K-State did not play well defensively against a team with a lot more speed.
It happens.
Basically, it comes down to being ready to play once you put on the uniform. Thursday night I saw from the Iola High volleyball team what I’ve seen from the Mustang football team this year. The teams allow opponents to take the lead and don’t answer until it’s too late. There’s just not enough time to battle all the way back.
So bring a little nasty and be ready to play.
Get a little nasty in your game
