[AMPHAR]

Is volleyball a sport? I have to admit I had the same attitude towards it just a few years ago. I always viewed it as picnic, beach, activity made into a high school team sport just to even out participation opportunities for girls.

As a matter of fact, I was confused/upset when my daughter started making volleyball a bigger priority over basketball, soccer, and softball. I mean it's hard enough already for people to pay attention to girls sports but Volleyball has to be the low game and she is too athletic to play that.

Then her team went to National Championships. OMG, mind blown. The speed and quality of play just at the middle school level was impressive. Then between matches I caught high school aged girls playing. It's like the land of 6 foot+ girls that can jump and move. I also caught one of the of the National Teams made up of college players and it's crazy how high and fast they play.

Volleyball just doesn't have a popular professional league for the American sports fan to fawn and over hype to draw interest.