What It Is Like to Return a Kill From a Colorado State Volleyball Player [VIDEO]

I play rec volleyball.

Maybe I should call it 'uber' recreational. There is sometimes as much beer drinking as volleyball in my Monday night league at Chipper's. Sometimes there is more. Still, it's volleyball, and the photo below is of my team the Bumpin' Aces.

As I became excited for another Rams Volleyball season, and after picking up the game again after 20 years without it, I began to wonder, how hard do the Rams hit?

I had red arms to go along with the answer.

They hit hard. Very, very hard.

Not surprising. The Rams were ranked 18 at the recording of the video, 13 as I publish the blog, and if they have a good weekend, they'll be on their way to even more glory.

My arms hurt after the first real serve from defensive specialist Cassidy Denny. They throbbed after 2 more.

Then I got a break, because I just couldn't put my hands on the kills sent to me from Kelsey Snider via sets from Crystal Young. I am not nearly fast enough. I learned that it isn't just the power that makes these girls elite. It's precision and speed, and I'm sure, even more than that.

Watching the video, it is clear to me that Kelsey was doing me a favor by hitting the ball down, instead of into my chest where it could ride up my arms like a ramp and smash my nose, or into my gut where it could bruise a kidney or spleen. Their media handler probably briefed them.

"We've got some guy from the radio coming, so let's try to get him out of here in one piece."

It's an interesting contrast. The girls are so nice and sweet, they are smart and congenial, and overall just great to be around, but if you let them hit a ball at your forearms, pain will surely ensue.

"Hey, this is really fun. Ouch!"