It's Saturday morning nine am and time to schlep Erin to the South Milwaukee Middle School gym for some volleyball. Her team is playing against another one that is undefeated so far this season.

A player on the opposing team serves the ball. Erin sets her feet 18 inches apart and waits; she forms the familiar V shape with her arms and hands; her eye follows the ball. Up the ball goes high above the net and makes the usual parabolic curve as it peaks and travels back to the other side. Erin is ready. Closer it comes and Erin is ready. Erin bends at the knees at the same time she lowers her hands. Whop, Erin makes solid contact with the ball sending the sphere flying back over to the other side of the net. She and her team play hard and fast but the other team is just a little tiny bit faster. Erin's team loses two sets to one. It's a real heart breaker.

If you would like to see a short clip of Erin in action, click here. You can click on the smaller photos above for larger views.