Lia Young professional Beach Volleyball Player on the Association of
Volleyball Professionals Tour, gives her account of the "cutty."
Courtesy of Machinevolleyball.com
The Cut: Random Acts of Kindness
Everyone in the volleyball world knows "the Cutty". The play on the
net where the hitter slices the ball across the net and it lands
within 2 feet from the net on the opponent's side. It's your trump
card and your opponent's Achilles heel. Complete execution begins
with establishing the "Rainbow" or "Jumbo Shrimp" shot, then throwing
in the Cut for the clutch play. It's a tough shot to finesse and if
you give it away too early, you will give your opponents a free ball
play at the net. It's a craft that takes time to master and
technique is the only ticket in the door.

The score is 14-13, this is the third game in a match against Dennis
Roberts and Janice Harrer. Dennis is simulating Elaine Youngs with
his blocking and offensive artillery. They are up for match point
and I receive serve, the rally goes on with both teams making
phenomenal defensive plays to match the offensive wizardry at hand.
Dennis goes short line over the block, I scurry and grovel. I refuse
to let a ball drop for match. Jess sets me. I am early and under
the ball. I go for the cut, the set is low and off the net. I see
it open, there's nobody up, just get it there, it doesn't need to be
perfect. The wind is blowing right to left and the ball drops inside
of me. The cut hits the tape, trickles and lands on our side. The
moment has passed, the match is over. Ughhh! I hate losing a match
on poor technique. I go on and on, unleashing the fire from my
belly, verbally lashing my performance. Words like "brutal"
and "hacker" are flying out of my mouth. I continue the flogging,
loudly saying "stupid cut, your such an idiot". I don't know much
else of what came seeping out of my mouth, but within 20 seconds a
man walks up to me with a bandage, antiseptic and waterproof tape. A
young man in his 20's, hair unbrushed and carelessly dressed in a
raggedy t-shirt and surf shorts wearing rubbah' slippahs. I know
this man, I see him here all the time. He and his friends cruise
under the coconut trees and watch us train. Sometimes they shag
balls that get hit in their area, sometimes they cheer after a great
play. They don't say much otherwise and tend to keep to themselves.
We've always assumed them to be homeless, seeking refuge beneath the
shade of the coconut trees and companionship with others in the same
boat. I look at him puzzled as he hands me the sterile bandage,
antiseptic and tape. He doesn't make eye contact, but instead
murmurs "this is for your cut." Silence. Then it dawned on me that
they had heard me yelling about my horrible cut (shot) and thought I
had actually cut myself. My heart melted, I felt my voice tremble, I
looked this man in the eye and said "Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest
thing I have ever seen, thank you so much." I was completely blown
away at this kind gesture. Everyone who was breaking down the net,
stopped and watched holding in their giggles. It wasn't that they
were making fun of him, but rather the misunderstood concept. I
chose to take the supplies and instead fake an injury. I was so
moved by this man's kindness. He turned and walked away, then
mumbled "if you can just return the tape, we're sitting right over
there." I said, "I know, I see you guys all the time." I almost
started bawling. For the next 10 minutes I pretended to clean
my "cut". I sat there scrubbing it with antiseptic then carefully
bandaging and taping it up. It was the most amazing "cut" I ever
had. I felt privileged and honored to be in the presence of such
grace. That a man overlooked by society and undervalued as a
contributing citizen in the community, could inspire me in such a
way. I walked over with the leftover tape and introduced myself to
he and his friends. I was truly grateful and a feeling of mutual
respect was exchanged.

A reporter once asked me "Lia, with all that you have accomplished,
what truly inspires you?" My response was "watching ordinary people
do extraordinary things."

Mahalo machinevolleyball.com for your patience and allowing me to
write within my parameters.

Lia Young

Lia Young
Pro Beach Volleyball Player

Professional Model

Liayoung.com

Lia Young has two fifths to her credit in 1999 with Janice Harrer and
2000 with Marsha Miller at Hermosa Beach. A 1994 graduate of Santa
Clara, Young is a certified aircraft mechanic and a private pilot.
She is a professional model. During the off-season, she works as an
office manager for Goldwings Supply Service.