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The Miracle Season (2018)
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KELLEY: There are some rare people in this world, who can make absolutely anything into an adventure. Come on, Kelley. Come on. KELLEY: If we're lucky, one of those fearless, generous souls shows us how it's done. How to live. Except, sometimes it doesn't feel like luck. Sometimes it feels like they were sent from above as a gift to the rest of us. Because when someone like that finds you, and somehow chooses you as their friend, it makes you think that you can fly. (WHOOPING) Okay, thanks. KELLEY: Or, at the very least, it helps you get through high school. Which, when you're 17, is kind of everything. GIRL: Kell Bell! Kelley! (BANGING ON TABLE) KELLEY: Of course, it was Line, who always seemed like she was about to take flight, like she might bound out of her seat at any moment. (LAUGHING) (CAR HORN HONKS) Hey. Ladies and gentlemen, the anchor of West High's starting line-up, Miss Kelley Fliehler! (SCREAMS) Shut up, Line, you're gonna jinx me! Can't jinx certainties, Kell. No, you being a starter is a certainty. Me being a starter is, like, 50-50 at best. Think about it. This year we have Mack, Brie, and that freshman, who's like nine feet tall. They're not you. - Please. - I'm serious! Tell me you haven't been killing it in practice. Okay. I made a couple of good digs. "A couple good digs." Let me just kick your butt right now. No, after we win State, again. (SONG PLAYING ON CAR STEREO) BOTH (SINGING ALONG): 'Cause baby You're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, ah, ah, ah As you shoot across the sky Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst... Whoa. Hello, new neighbor. (TIRES SCREECH) Oh, no! (TIRES SCREECHING) Easy, Liner! We can't play at all if we have whiplash. - No. - Oh, yes. No, no, no. No. Liner, get back here. The party's tomorrow night. Officially it's to celebrate the start of volleyball. We've got a pre-season game in, like, an hour. But you guys should come meet people. We invited the whole school. Literally. Just tell us you're coming, even if it's a lie. Because this one can't take no for an answer. Well, in that case, we'll be there. On one condition. What's your name? Ruby. And that's my big brother, Alex. LINE: That's it, you're in. You look like you got what it takes to be a West High volleyball player someday. - All right. - Up top. Yeah! - Yeah! - (ALEX CHUCKLES) Um, it's the big red barn just off of Route 1. - You can't miss it. - Looking forward to it. Well, that is, if I'm not lying about coming. (CAR HORN HONKING) Kell Bell! - Ugh. - (LINE CHUCKLES) - You're welcome. - Mmm. KELLEY: We can double date. No! (CAR RADIO PLAYING) KELLEY: There he is. Hey, Jim. What do you say, girls? - Fresh off the press. - These are perfect! - I love that. - Wait, this is for you. - We'll see you after. - Thank you, Jim. Oh, thank you. - First game tonight. - Whoo! Thank you, guys. Here you go. First game. First game. West is the best! - A piece... Perfect! - Right here. - All right, let's keep it going. Yeah. - Whoo! Beautiful! - KELLEY: I'm on my last one. - LINE: Oh, no. Gotta catch up. Hey, Kelley. Hey, Liner. - Candy. - Hi! Oh, wow. Those turned out great. - Thank you. - Yeah. - Oh, my God. - That looks so amazing. You girls bring that championship back home again. - We will. - We will. Give this to your mama, it's her favorite. How is she? Great. You give her a great big hug from me. Will do. And thanks for this. It looks delicious. - You're welcome. - Thank you, Candy. You're welcome. Good to see you girls. You, too. You wanna talk about it? Forty-two matches till State, Kell Bell. Yeah. Wait! Wait! (GROANS) Wait! (DOG BARKING) Hey! Wait! (SCHOOL BELL RINGING) I don't know why they didn't take it, but they didn't. For gosh sakes, it's yours. I never liked it. I don't want it. Why don't you and what's her name use it? - Brez! - I left it in the yard. Brez, we gotta talk. Who else? I moved it myself. - Who else is gonna help me? - Super urgent. Caroline, hold on. That dresser is in the yard. Take it if you want it, or I'm throwing it on... - Brez... - What? Okay. First of all, I have a special surprise for you after the game. You're gonna love it. Also, - the team picture. - Oh, my God. Are you still talking? - Uh-huh. - Remember when I said we should be wearing matching socks? I actually think they shouldn't match. Maybe we wear neon colors and weird hats. Or, maybe we match our shoe laces. - It's gonna be a great year. - Oh, yeah. Magical season, I can feel it. - Did someone say "magic"? - That's my cue. Where's it gonna come from? (LAUGHING) Come here. Oh! - You have a date with Mom tonight? - And every night, sweetheart. After the game, and I have a consult with a guy about a herniated disc. Why? You thinking about crashing the party again? Well, it's not like you're getting lucky. (SCOFFS) You're not, right, Dad? Don't answer that. Definitely don't answer that. (LAUGHING) You're the grossest! Love you! Go! Go! Go! Oh, my God, that's so disgusting! - Don't encourage her. - Come on, you can do it! Get the next one. Get the next one. What the heck is going on here? Line ordered pizza for some reason, and then bet me she could jam two whole slices in her mouth at once. (LAUGHING) (MUMBLES) With me. You killed it! (ALL LAUGHING) ALL: Urgh! You're gross. (MUMBLING) Take your time. Are you sure you don't want any? It's so good. Give it to me. Okay. That was just a bet, which I totally would've won. Caroline, you're the captain now. Do you not understand what being a captain is? Call me "Line" or "Liner" or any curse word you want. - But just not "Caroline". - My setter leads. - It's just pizza. - These girls are looking at you, our best player, to set the tone. - We were just having a little fun. - Not to be their best friend, not to be the funniest, but to lead this team. Are you feeling all right today, Brez? - What? - You need a hug? - No. - Can't play knowing you're upset. Come here. - See? Isn't this so nice? - Yeah. Get outta here. Hey. I got you. This was fun to get, wasn't it? ALL: (CHEERING) Yeah! How many schools in Iowa do you think have one of these? - Freshman? - My name's Taylor. I know your name. Freshman? - (STAMMERS) - Dozens. Scores, even. But how many teams have earned two back-to-back? Almost none. You know why? 'Cause players get cocky. - What? - What? They get complacent. So, say goodbye. It's not yours anymore. It belongs to last year's team. I don't want you to think about being ranked number one. I want you to think about what we're gonna do this year, today. Which is, one point at a time we're gonna play West volleyball. Captain, team is yours. Yeah, Liner. Yeah, State, here we come! (CHEERING) And here they come! Your defending State Champions, the West High Trojans. Today, West will take on their crosstown rival, City High. (CROWD APPLAUDING AND CHEERING) Is it me, or did the Twin Towers get taller over the summer? It's you. Or it's that good old steroid-fed Iowa beef. All right. Focus on the game. Focus on the game. They are huge. (R&B MUSIC PLAYING) Nice girls, but it's time to take them down! (ALL CHEERING) Right girls. We got this ladies! (WHISTLE BLOWS) GIRL: Ball's up, ball's up! Yeah, watch out, watch out, yeah, it's coming. Middle! Middle! Middle! Yeah. Here, here, here. Hands up. Yeah! Great choice, Line. Yes! GIRL: All right. Do it again. Do it again. Great play, guys. Let's keep it going. Get ready for the next one, okay? Yes! Middle! (WHISTLE BLOWS) Let's go, guys. - GIRL 1: Get it back. - GIRL 2: Gotta be on top of that. Look who's going down now. Hey, pick your head up. Pick your head up. I would've missed that one, too. We'll get them next, okay? (CROWD CHEERING) Do work today, son! BOY: Come on, Kelley. You got this, Kell. You got this. (CROWD GASP) ANNOUNCER: What a disappointment for West as City takes the first set. (WHISTLE BLOWS) Come on, guys. Next one, yeah? Have a seat. Brie, get out there. It's okay, Kell. Don't worry about it. GIRL: Come on, ladies. We got this! Hands up! Hey... Mmm-hmm. Okay, let's go. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) BRIE: Got it, got it, got it! GIRL: Yeah, Brie! Yeah, Brie! BREZ: Brie, you okay? Yeah, I'm fine. BREZ: Freshman, you're in. Way to commit. GIRL: Come on, guys! You got this! Ball's up! (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (CHEERING) All right, West. ANNOUNCER: A heartbreaker for the women of Troy who just couldn't get much going today. Good game. Good game. Caroline... (ERNIE CHUCKLES) Ernie, sorry. How are you? - Sorry. That's a dumb question. - No, Brez, it's okay. We're hanging in there. So, um, Caroline is throwing one of her parties tomorrow night, and I know you don't really like to socialize, but with what's going on, I know she'd love you to be there. Great. I'll try to make it. It's good to see you, Ernie. - She is not coming. - No, not in a million years. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHTER) Oh, my God! Am I the only one pissed off about losing a game we should've won? We know we sucked, Brez. We did. And now we're just letting it go. You know what I'm gonna be letting go of? Players who cannot compete. Pull it together out there, Fliehler. All of you. LINE: Hey. Don't worry about it. Okay? (GIGGLING) LINE (ON VIDEO): Ew! You better not kiss! ERNIE (ON VIDEO): That's a dare. (BOTH LAUGHING) LINE: Gross! Some things never change. She said the same thing to me this afternoon. (LAUGHING) After all these years, we still got it. We're gonna get you stronger, Ellyn. We're gonna walk up Mount Monadnock next year. ELLYN: Yeah, that's good. I got a present for you. Oh? Oh, I love these. LINE: And I'm gonna wear them for you every time I play. (GIGGLING) The game today meant nothing. We're gonna win State again, and we're gonna do it for you. You'll see. We talked about this, honey. Odds are, I won't be here for the whole season. Sweetheart. (SIGHS) (SIGHS) Since when did odds ever matter to me? You are coming to my graduation, Mama. You are moving me into my dorm room next year. And better yet, you are going to dance at my wedding. Am I making myself clear? (INHALES) Very clear. (SNIFFS) Good. Meanwhile, I am going to climb into your IV drip, and spread gooey Liner love in your bloodstream, till it spreads to every single cell in your body. So, no matter what, we're always going to be together. I'll take it. I'll take all of it. (CHUCKLES) Woo! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Whose is that? Quiet, quiet, quiet. Here, take these. Brandon Turner's brother has just left for college and didn't take this with him. Can you believe that? Your dad is gonna kill you. Not if he doesn't happen to notice. (GIGGLING) Perfect. I never saw it. - I'll totally deny it. - Deny what? I didn't see anything. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) ERNIE: How's that? (BEEPS) - No. Still nothing over here. - Oh, man. This is a huge party foul, Dad. Almost there. Wait! Hang on. (CAR HORN BEEPS) (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) (WHOOPS) The party has started! (DANCE MUSIC PLAYING) I'm gonna go play a game. - Looking good. - Ah! Well, it looked good anyway. But... No thanks to you. But you know what? I think, I can actually make this work if I just make this an exclamation point. Nice. Excuse me. Yeah. Lizzy B, take the top card. Is that the card? Yes. - Yeah, it is. - It is? (PEOPLE APPLAUDING) Dude, that wasn't your card. You had the queen of hearts. Mrs. Found is really sick. He could've said a potato chip was my card, and I would've agreed. Now, clap. Okay. You think that's the card? I have a funny feeling. Ruby, would you pick this up and set it aside? - My goodness. - LIZZY: What? - No! What? - (ALL CHEERING) It's my card! How did you do that? This is my card! Will you please do another one? It's late for any more magic tonight. The magician has to get up in a few hours and go to work. (ALL GROANING) - Ever sawed someone in half? - Only redheads. (LAUGHING) No, I'm more about putting people together. Good night, ladies. - Good night, Dad. - ALL: Good night. Okay, so, I'm gonna go sneak a visit with my mom, but I have to know, - did you kiss the new guy or what? - No! Not yet. But I think it's, like, a possibility. What? Awesome! Weight room tomorrow, 7:00 a.m. No. No way, I'm sleeping in tomorrow. - Early birds become starters. - Ugh, okay, fine. 7:00 a.m. (ENGINE STARTS) This is our year, Kell. - Our year. - Bye. See you tomorrow. Woo! Yeah! (KNOCK AT DOOR) Hey, Bob. What is it? You got a noise complaint? We don't keep anything up around here except the sheep. I'm afraid we have some terrible news for you, Ernie. What do you mean? - There's been an accident. - Who? It's Caroline. Take my mind and take my pain (INAUDIBLE) Like an empty bottle takes the rain And heal, heal Heal, heal (PHONE RINGING) And take my past and take my sins Hello. Yeah? Wait, what? (BEEPING) And heal, heal Hello? (KELLEY CRYING ON PHONE) Kelley, is everything all right? I'm supposed to call people to tell them, but my hands are shaking so badly. And tell me some things last Take a heart and take a hand Like an ocean takes the dirty sand And heal, heal Heal, heal And take my mind and take my pain Like an empty bottle takes the rain That's her brother and sister? Yeah. They got in last night. And tell me some things last And tell me some things last Oh, guys, look who showed. I'm sorry. And tell me some things last And tell me some things last Here, no, help me get these off. Come on now, don't overdo it. It's our baby's wake, Ernie. I am walking in there on my own two feet. Thank you. Take my mind and take my pain Like an empty bottle takes the rain And heal, heal (WHISPERS) No matter what, we'll be together. No matter what. (PHONE RINGING) KELLEY (ON THE PHONE): Hey, any news? GIRL: Yeah, all bad. Mrs. Found passed away in her sleep last night. PRINCIPAL: Good morning, students. Uh... I'd like to do a little something different today. I'd like to have a moment of silence, in honor of senior Caroline Found, who we lost in a tragic accident. Grief counseling will be available in the guidance office, so please, please take advantage of it at any time. Door's always open... (CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY) (SOBBING) Unless the girls come to you and want to play... They can barely brush their teeth in the morning. - They're not gonna come... - Then it's too soon. Brez... You gotta think about their mental health. I'm holding practice tomorrow afternoon at 3:45. You want to shut me down? You know where I'll be. I should've stayed where I was Didn't follow the plan Run, run, run, this is my only chance Run, run, run, I'm finally losing it Run, run, run, run, say goodbye to this Run, run, run, run, I ain't coming back I ain't coming back Japanese eat like this. Like to lay it all out. Get a look at the whole lunch landscape. What are you doing, Coach? My alarm went off this morning. Like it always does. 5:59. Rolled right back over. Didn't want to get out of bed. Then I heard this annoying voice in my head. Caroline's voice. "Do work today, son!" (CHUCKLES) With everything going on in her life, she played volleyball. I think we need to play volleyball. Now? Now. - Why me? - You're her best friend. Girls are looking at you to see if it's okay to play again. Please, don't put this on me, Brez. Sorry. I just did. (WRAPPERS RUSTLING) We're talking. Every night. So pick up your phone. Get going. Don't miss your flight. We love you. - Love you too. - We'll see you soon. Bye, Dad. (PHONE RINGING) ELLYN (OVER ANSWERING MACHINE): Hi, everyone, you've reached the Founds. Please leave a message after the beep for Ernie, Ellyn and... LINE: And Liner Dog! ELLYN: Oh, and Liner Dog. (LINE LAUGHS) PAUL: Hey, Ernie. Just wanted to check up on you, buddy. I know I said to take as much time as you need, but nothing soothes the soul like medical paperwork, right? And God bless her. She lived more life in her 17 years, than most do in a lifetime. What I'm trying to say is I'm here for you buddy, okay? So, if you need me to pick you up some food or you just want to talk, or you need some company at church, just give me a call, and I'll be there for you... Well, I'm not sure church is exactly where I want to be right now. God hasn't exactly shown up for me lately. ELLYN (ANSWERING MACHINE): Hi, everyone, you've reached the Founds. Please leave a message after the beep for Ernie, Ellyn and... LINE: And Liner Dog! ELLYN: Oh, and Liner Dog. (LINE LAUGHING) (KNOCKING AT DOOR) Dr. Found, - I have something... - Seventeen years, sweetheart, you've never called me that. Not letting you start now. Sit down, I'll make you a cup of tea. Did you get into that science lab you wanted? I think, I remember Caroline saying... I knew that Line had the moped. And, I knew she was taking it to the hospital. If I'd told you... "If." You wanna hear my list of ifs? If I could've gotten the stereo to work, Line's battery wouldn't have died, and maybe she'd have driven her car. If I'd brought her to visit Ellyn that day, maybe she'd have just gone to bed after the party. If I hadn't taken such a hard line on mopeds, I could've at least made sure she wore a helmet. So... There's no end to the ifs. What are we gonna do, Ernie? All the handouts say to channel your anger and guilt into something. This is all I've found. Maybe you can find something better. The Trojans football team won last night 24 to 17, and last night's volleyball game against City High was another loss, due to forfeit. Good morning, everybody. I just wanted to say that that last announcement, well, it sucked. Line would've hated it. Giving up a game without a fight, and to City... The thought of playing volleyball again makes me almost physically ill, but I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna go to practice today because it's what Line would have wanted me to do. And I hope the rest of the team joins me today too, because the thing is, I don't want Line to ever hear again that we lost a game for not showing up. SCOTT: Well, physically they're all here. Mentally, I'd say they're at 10%. Certainly don't think they're ready for a game on Saturday. All right, everybody, huddle up. Let's go, let's go. Huddle up. (CLAPPING HANDS) I know being here is tough. But believe me, you're gonna be glad you have something else to focus on... (SOBBING) (DOOR CLOSES) We're all hurting. But here, you can take that hurt and apply it to the game you love to play. What do you say? No time like right now. Here we go. SCOTT: Okay, guys, defensive box drill. Let's go. Can't do the drill without a setter, Coach. Okay, new plan. Pepper drill. Twenty consecutive hits. Here we go. (CLAPPING HANDS) Nice. Let's hear you count it. (GIRLS MUMBLING) Is anybody gonna get that? I don't know if we can do this, Coach. Just being here... That's enough! You all know Caroline Found never cried on this court. And neither will any of you. Anybody's upset? They need to cry? They can do it outside the lines. (SOBBING) We'll get there. - Ugly face contest! - No fair, you always win. On three. One, two, three. (LAUGHING) Princess, beauty queen. (GIRLS LAUGHING) LINE: Samurai skills. Are you going to practice tomorrow? I don't even know if there's gonna be one. Brez thinks that people are looking to me to keep the team going. Well, what do you think? I think that Line could do it if it was her, but I'm not as strong as her. Line brought out your inner strength. She really did. But, remember, you can't bring out something that isn't already there. (BELL RINGING) The last thing that Line said to me was that this was gonna be our year. She was gonna play hard, and she was gonna dedicate every single game to her mom. And I know that our odds aren't good without Liner, but even if we could win just one game, shouldn't we try? Does that sound good to you guys? BREZ: We can talk all day about what we want, but the only way to make that happen is to bust our butts in here. First thing we gotta do is find us a new setter. Usually takes three to five years to groom a new setter. We don't have that kind of time, now, do we? ALL: No, Coach. All right, let's work. Scotty, they're all yours. Okay, line up! Setting is about precision. Doesn't matter how good your hitters are unless the setter can get them the ball exactly where they need it. Nice. So, losing every game of the season. Is that good or bad for an assistant coach's career? All right, Mack. You're up. Nice job. Brie, you're up. (BALL THUDDING) She's not even looking. Doesn't have to. She can hear it. The less sound you make, the better your hands are. Nice job, Brie. Come on, Kelley, step in. BRIE (WHISPERS): You got this. (MUTED THUDDING) You're gonna touch the ball every play. Control who gets it. When. Where. How. You gotta feel out your hitters. Who's hot? Who's cold? Tell them, talk to them. Lead. Offense. Defense. Everything on that court runs through you. You all right? - Compared to what? - These are all the plays the setter has to know. I know our plays, you guys. You know the plays that you ran and from the receiving side. Now you need to know which plays need to be set higher, - or faster or with softer hands. - Study up. Good luck. See, focus is the hardest part for me. I go to class, but it's like all I hear is that Charlie Brown teacher going... - "Wah, wah, wah, wah." - (LAUGHS) You know, if it helps, I am actually a pretty good Charlie Brown teacher translator. What you just said, just so you know, was The Gettysburg Address. (BOTH LAUGH) Uh... I just... I never thought that my senior year would be like this, you know? Yeah. You know, I only met her once. But she seemed like a great person. Line was the best. The best. I really wanna win this first game back for her. Win or lose, you're making her proud. I know it. REPORTER: The women of Troy volleyball team head to Cedar Rapids today for their first game since losing their star player, Caroline Found. We at WKCR and everyone in Iowa City wish them the best of luck. (CHEERING AND APPLAUDING) (SIGHS DEEPLY) (PANTING) (BLOWS WHISTLE) Captains. Seniors, you're our captains. Let's go. Ladies, heads or tails? Heads. It's tails. Would you like side, serve or receive? Serve. BREZ: It's all right, ladies. Here we go. Bring it in, everybody. Everybody, bring it in. I want you to focus on playing volleyball. Nothing else, just volleyball. - You got it? - Got it. Okay, Lizzy B. Okay. West on... Nine. For Line. ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. - West! - Here we go! You got it, ladies. (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) No, it's okay. Get up. You got this, Kelley, this is what you do. Good D. Good D. (WHISTLE BLOWS) Watch the ball! Watch the ball! Watch your hitters, ladies. Watch your hitters. Yeah, watch the middle. Watch the middle! And, Montgomery with a solid side out, to put the Rams up by two. Yes! - (CHEERING) - (WHISTLE BLOWS) COMMENTATOR: Oh, my, looks like some miscommunication. The girls need to get this together. This game is slipping away from them. (WHISTLE BLOWS) COMMENTATOR: Fliehler seems to be having a tough time today finding her teammates for solid sets. She's falling apart out there. We don't have anybody else. Get your feet there, Kelley. Get your feet there. (WHISTLE BLOWS) (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (CROWD CHEERING) (BUZZER) COMMENTATOR: And that's the game, ladies and gentlemen. A win for Montgomery in three straight sets. And a heartbreaker for the women of Troy, who just couldn't get much going today without their star, Caroline Found. (ENGINE STARTS) SHELLY: It's just frustrating. We're being set up to fail. - Literally. - Give her a break, okay? It's not like she wants to be awful. Yeah, but we're the ones who look bad. She sets it like four feet beyond the antennae. It's like, if we can't save it, it looks like it's our fault. And not to be mean, but why is Kelley one of our co-captains? If not for Line, I don't think she'd even be a starter. Yeah, probably not. So, what, you wanna tell her she's not good enough to stand up there with the rest of us? SHELLY: Just sucks, that's all. It's not how to honor Line, I know that. - Ernie? - Brez. Hello. - Wonderful to see you. - Hello, hello! That looks good. Bought it at Target. - May I? - Thanks. You want more champagne? Don't ask. I'll just take it. The hardest part for me, is getting used to the quiet. Liner was a sworn enemy of pauses in conversation. You're not kidding. She was fearless, wasn't she? In everything she did. She just dove right in, head first. Took it on. Without thinking. Homecoming game's coming up soon, Ernie. I think it would mean a lot to the girls if you were there. If you can handle it. Not to say there's anything wrong - if you can't... - It's okay. I know what you mean. Okay. It's good to see you, Ernie. How's the team looking? The truth? Please? It ain't last year. (SIGHS DEEPLY) How many games you got left? Fifteen. How many wins do you have to have to qualify for State? Fifteen. What do you think my daughter would say to us if she were sitting at this table? "Only 15?" Hmm. - Down. - SCOTT: Nice! Pretty intense practice schedule, huh? Okay. Good talk. Bring it in! You are defending state champions. Every team out there is hungry to eat you alive. Do you think when we travel to Cedar Falls that they're gonna take it easy on you 'cause they see how upset you are? ALL: No, Coach. Mack, serve to zone one and practice is over. If you miss, we run ladders. (GIRLS GROANING) SCOTT: Let's go. BREZ: Jump serve. - Really? - You lead our team in ace serves. You should be able to do this blindfolded. SCOTT: Okay, line up. (WHISTLE BLOWS) (GIRLS PANTING) Don't be last. Brie. Zone one, or two ladders. Server needs to be able to put the ball on the court exactly where the coach tells them to. (WHISTLE BLOWS) - (WHISTLE BLOWS) - (ALL GROANING) Lizzy B, serve the ball to zone one or five ladders. BREZ: You think this is pressure? How are you gonna win our next game if you can't even handle practice? (GIRLS PANTING) Serve the ball to zone one, and we're done. If you miss, 15 ladders for everyone. (ALL GROANING) Understood? GIRL: Come on, Kelley, you got this. (SIGHS) (GIRLS LAUGHING) High and to the outside. Good. Number 31? Low set, middle blocker. (CHUCKLING) Perfect. Now, - let's test those reflexes. - Oh, come on. You're so weird. This is an important part of your training. Come... Okay, gotta get back to work. - Volleyball? - Mm-hmm. All right. - Ready? - Mmm-hmm. The trick is to keep it close to the embers and not the flames. That way it doesn't catch fire. I have to tell you something. I didn't want it. And if you want me to step down, I will. But, Brez made me setter. And you're doing a fine job of it. When I didn't see you at the games, I thought that you were maybe mad that I'm, like, I don't know, taking her spot. You didn't take her spot. You couldn't do that. You took a position, and you're making it your own. And I'm right behind you. Hundred percent. And I may be the surgeon, but you're the healer out there. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) (MUFFLED CHEERING) Why am I more nervous for this than the first game we played? Because winning homecoming is a matter of school honor. It's just another game with fanfare and huge visibility and every boy you ever wanted to date watching. It's still a game, ladies. We're gonna show up and play. Let's go! Game time, ladies. Yeah! ANNOUNCER: And here they come! Your reigning champions! The women of Troy! (CHEERING) Number 18, Lizzy Ackerman. Number 19, Kelley Fliehler. Number 11, Mackenzie Davidson. Number eight, Brie Tipton. Number four, Jessica Bailey. Number 14, Taylor Mitchell. Number one, Rebecca Mastry. (CROWD CHEERING) BREZ: High! High! Free, free, free, free! - (CHEERING) - (WHISTLE BLOWS) - Now, that's some volleyball! - Thank God! We are one ball away. Let's run 82. Their defense is weak on that side. BREZ: One ball away. GIRL: West on nine. ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, West! We got this. GIRL 1: Watch it. Watch it. GIRL 2: Go on, Brie! (WHISTLE BLOWS) (CROWD CHEERING) Taylor, you gotta see that. Okay, that's all right. Good pass. Okay, we got this. - Next one. Come on. - Yeah. - Let's go. - It's all right. It was my fault. No, it wasn't. Tay, you gotta hit around that next time. Okay? WOMAN: Go, ladies! You got this! One side out, ladies. This ends now. One last play, you guys. (CROWD CHEERING) Guys. Come here. (ALL LAUGHING) (TELEPHONE RINGING) - Hello? - Pull out the season schedule. - Good morning to you, too. - I'll wait while you get it. - Okay. Got it. - Tell me what you see. Oh, I know there's typos, but it's not like we're the English department. What's the caliber of the next team we're facing? They're on the weaker side. And the next one, and the one after that? Weak. I like where you're going with this. BREZ: Our next five games are against the weakest teams in the division. As long as we keep our emotions in check, we'll take them out without much trouble. And with momentum and that confidence, the next half dozen ones are very doable, too. Which means, if we run the board, we got a shot at State. You mean, to win? (CHUCKLES) I mean, to win. We could win. For Line. For Caroline. Yeah, but wait, how many is the board? - Fourteen. - You serious? Yeah, I'm serious. LAYNIE: So, hey, I was thinking, since you pick who gets each ball, if it's a clutch play, maybe go to someone else. Usually hitters ask for more plays. That's how you get better. I know. It's just, I don't want to be the reason that we don't win, for Line. (WEIGHTS CLANG) Don't let it be me, okay? ALL: West! (CROWD CHEERING) It's time for me to take it I'm the boss right now Not gonna fake it Not when you go down Cause this is my game And you'd better come to play I used to hold my freak back Now I'm letting go I make my own choice (SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY) Okay. Yeah. (WHISTLE BLOWS) Power. GIRL: Outside. Outside. - (ALL CHEERING) - (WHOOPS) (ALL CHEERING) (WEIGHTS CLANGING) (SCREAMING) (BLOWS WHISTLE) What! Are you kidding me? Are you blind? Come on! It was right here. - It was right here! - Okay. Okay. Okay. Maybe you should sit down before it gets you a... - Oh, my God! - We're good! We're good, Ref, we're good! God, I hope it's not him in the finals. What's wrong with being What's wrong with being What's wrong with being confident (CHEERING) What's wrong with being What's wrong with being confident What's wrong with being What's wrong with being What's wrong with being confident And then the improbable happened. The women of West started winning games. One after another. And if they win here tonight, they'll be headed back to State next week as quarter-finalists. And a chance to honor their lost captain, Caroline. It's a strong team out there, but they are not as strong as you. We keep our heads in the game, and we can win this. For Line. - West on two. One, two. - ALL: West! Let's go, ladies! COMMENTATOR: West is two points away from victory as Kelley Fliehler heads back to serve. (CROWD APPLAUDING AND CHEERING) COMMENTATOR: Deep serve by West. Set to the outside. And that's out. - You follow the ball. - It was our point! Next time it might not be. You follow the ball till the end of the play. Yes, Coach. West is in control of this game, and if they win this set, they win the match. Fliehler with the serve. You stay with your hitters. COMMENTATOR 1: White Oak sets middle. Nice dig by West. Fliehler with the set. A huge block by White Oak. But West still has match point. (ALL CHEERING) Can't keep going to Mackenzie while they're doubling up on her. Don't look at me, the blocker on my side's like seven feet tall. Go to Taylor, they're not looking at her. - Yeah, I think I got this one. - Element of surprise. We can't lose momentum, Kell. Not when we're one ball from State. Okay, go again, I'll push it further out, okay? - Come on, guys, come on. - Yeah. COMMENTATOR 1: White Oak is just one point away from tying it up. West needs this point to win. Swing hard. Here's the serve from White Oak. Set by Fliehler. Yes! (CROWD CHEERING) They did it! The women of Troy are heading back to State! They made it to the quarter-finals! Unbelievable. A 15-game win streak. Let's hear it for your West High Trojans! (CROWD CHEERING) Good job. So, I was thinking about last season. So weird, foreign. I mean, remember when playing used to be fun? Yeah, I do. I try not to think about it. Nice. Hmm, how you feeling, hmm? You ready to take some names? I'm just glad that we're almost through this. Home stretch. Well, you've already won. - You know that, right? - Yeah. Hug you. Okay. Uh, Coach... Aren't you gonna say something to the parents? Oh. Yeah, sure. Good morning, everybody. - ERNIE: Good morning, Coach. - Good morning. So, here we are again. Thanks. GIRL: What? Okay. (PEOPLE APPLAUDING) MAN: Go get 'em, girls. I'm glad you called. I think it's time for me to express some long-overdue thanks. I've been so angry. I know. But to have had the life that I did with Ellyn... and those 17 years with Caroline... I know... how blessed I am. You are blessed, pal. I can't blame Him for wanting her back. She's a keeper. (GIRLS GIGGLING) ANNOUNCER: Now, this is a team that was absolutely demolished by Montgomery earlier this season, but they're playing like a whole new squad right now. Move to the ball! Move to the ball! - Beautiful. Way to read your hitters! - GIRL: Yeah! Come on, ladies, we got this. - One more, push one. - Ladies, come on. BREZ: It's up! It's up! GIRL: Yeah! (CHEERING) Settle down. Settle down. - One more to semis. - I got this, guys. - Okay. - I got it. - Go kill it. - Okay. You got this. Senior setter, Kelley Fliehler, is back to serve for game. (CAMERAS CLICKING) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (WHISTLE BLOWS) (ALL CHEERING) And West High dominates this quarter-final match to advance to the semis. ANNOUNCER: And what a game we've got here. Both teams battling for a spot in the state finals. Both are within easy reach of the magic 15 points to win here in game five. Watch your hitters. - Good job. - Come on, guys, we got this. This one's ours. One good pass, ladies, one good pass. GIRL: Yeah, it's up. It's up. (ALL CHEERING) - Yeah! - Nice. Match point, match point, here we go. ANNOUNCER: And West is one point away from the state finals. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) Good. Push it. Push it. Yes! And West has won the match! Yes! (CROWD CHEERING) ANNOUNCER: Who would've thought that this team would be back in the state championship after the roller-coaster ride that they've been through this season? Yes! Now, a tough match against City High is ahead, but West High has an awful lot to celebrate tonight. KELLEY (ON PHONE): Hey, Ernie, it's me, Kelley. I'm just really missing Line today, and I thought I might visit the barn hideout tonight. Let me know if that's okay. (MACHINE BEEPS) (DOG WHINES) What do you think? Is it this one? (DOG WHIMPERS) KELLEY: The barn is always where I went with Caroline when I needed everything to be okay. And right then, everything wasn't. The closer we got to State, the more scared I was that we'd come up short. That I'd come up short. Winning for Line was everything, so losing for Line... It was unthinkable. (BIRDS TWEETING) ERNIE: Not "win for Line". Not "do it for Line," but "live like Line". (STONE CLATTERING) - Hey. Uh... - Hey. I'm sorry for being totally MIA lately, but there's something pretty important that I have to do right now, and I was on my way there. And then somehow I was on my way here. And... it's because I realized I wanted you there, too. I mean, if you're not doing anything right now. Well, I was pretty busy sleeping, but... Right. Yeah, of course. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I don't even... I don't know what I'm doing here. Okay. Stupid. I remember the moment Kelley! I was only a girl So, where are we going? Tears were falling Follow me. All this time From the first tear cry Till today's sunrise What? I like seeing you lead. Team's lucky to have you. Always there, it was You and I You've been walking with me all this time You got a plan? Yeah, you go up, I'll hand you stuff. I like that plan. Been walking with me all this time Ever since that day It's been clear to me That no matter what comes You were meant for me I know you're for me And you're restoring Every heartache and failure Every broken dream BREZ: What is that? Did you make that? Nope. (PHONE VIBRATING) Hey, Ernie's having a party at his place tonight. Yeah, I know. I'm surprised you're invited. You know, I mean, in a good way. It was you and I You've been walking with me all this time Ernie, we're not champions yet. Sure you are. That's what this is about tonight. You are champions to me. I'm proud of you guys. Now, will you finish the story? The story. Right. Okay. So I went to pick up the pizza, and the pizza man behind the counter, he looks at this shirt, and he says, "What's that shirt, what does that mean?" And... I said to him, "How much time have you got?" And I told him that I married a woman, who... she knew how to love, and... she could see the good in... in anyone and anything she ever met. And she gave that to our daughter, and... Caroline knew how to... live. Maybe a little too much sometimes. Listen, you guys, what you've done, you've brought this town together. It's amazing. Caroline would be so proud to be here with you. And win or lose, it doesn't matter. GIRL: To Caroline. - ERNIE: Yeah. - SCOTT: Hear, hear. - To sweet Caroline. - (CHUCKLES) Yeah. Where it began I can't begin to know it But then I know it's growing strong ALL: Sweet Caroline Ba, ba, ba Good times never seemed so good So good, so good, So good (GIGGLING AND INDISTINCT CHATTER) I'm sorry... for putting so much pressure on you guys. I don't know how you managed carrying all that weight. How you managed, to not just play, but do it with... grace. I... (VOICE BREAKING) I told you to win for Line, as if that would somehow make sense of why she died, or... help how much all of us hurt. But now, I think that we should... If we wanna show how much we miss her, we should... just play with joy. So... can we just do that? (RUMBLES) (LAUGHING) I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath Hey, excuse me, can you pull over please? So I sit quietly Agree politely I guess I forgot I had a choice I let you push me past the breaking point I stood for nothing So I fell for everything You held me down, but I got up Already brushing off the dust You hear my voice, you hear that sound Like thunder, gonna shake the ground - (CHUCKLES) - You held me down, but I got up Get ready cause I've had enough - (LAUGHING) - I see it all, I see it now I got the eye of the tiger A fighter Dancing through the fire Cause I am a champion - (ALL GIGGLING) - And you're gonna hear me roar Louder Louder than a lion Cause I am a champion And you're gonna hear me roar You're gonna hear me roar ANNOUNCER: Thank you for joining us today at the Cedar Rapids Ice and Sports Arena. "Live Like Line" T-shirts! ANNOUNCER: Today we host a rematch in the Iowa State girls volleyball championships. Please welcome City High and your returning champs, the West High Trojans. (CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING) Who's ready to play some West volleyball? - Yeah! - We're ready, Coach. ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the 2011 Iowa State, girls high school, volleyball championships. (ALL CHEERING) Before we begin, we'd like to honor a player we lost just a few months ago. Someone very special to this community. Here, with that dedication is Kathy Bresnahan. (CROWD APPLAUDING) - Is this normal? - No. Hey, volleyball fans! (CROWD CHEERING) From the looks of it, a lot of you had a connection with our beloved captain, number nine, Caroline Found. MAN IN CROWD: We love you, Caroline! (EVERYONE APPLAUDING) Which isn't surprising, because Caroline reached out to everyone. Strangers, opponents, teachers, even lowly Coach. To Line, they all meant the same thing. Friend. (CROWD APPLAUDING) So, today, we would like to honor number nine, not by having a moment of silence, but by asking you to do the same, reach out. Introduce yourself to somebody you don't know. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Hi. - Hi, how are you? Coach. Good to see you. Good to see you. You, I know. You three are trouble. I'm glad you're here. So are you. - Hey. - Kathy, nice to meet you. Good luck, Coach. Hi, what's your name? Line would have loved this. (WHISTLE BLOWS) West, I need your Captain. Here we go, you guys. Let's go, coin toss. They asked for our captain. Right, that's us. No, it's you, Kell. No, that's not how we've been... You earned it. Go. Go on. Get over there. I'm not gonna lose this toss 'cause you're dragging your feet, Captain. We did this together. I want everybody there. Then go get them. Come on. I need my girls. - Come on, that means you guys, too. - BREZ: Go on, go on! REFEREE: West, it's your call. ALL: Heads. - Yes. - Yeah! - Serve, side or receive? - Serve. And what side do you want? - This side's good. - Great. Have fun, girls. Ah, Kelley, we just wanna say whatever happens out there today, it isn't personal, it's just the game. Right. We were thinking Line wouldn't want us to throw the championship. So, in a way we're honoring her too. Thanks for letting me know. It'll make our win even sweeter. Nice girls, but it's time to take them down. ALL: Yeah! - West on nine? - Mmm-hmm. ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, West! Own the net. (WHISTLE BLOWS) ANNOUNCER: And West gets us started. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) ANNOUNCER: City takes advantage and hammers it for the kill. Let's go, guys. Back hands, ladies. (WHISTLE BLOWS) ANNOUNCER: Blocked by City. There's just no hitting through City's huge block. (WHISTLE BLOWS) Good job, guys. Keep it up. Keep it up. City with a dominant start. West can't get their offense going around that massive block that City is putting up. It's okay. It's okay. Watch the floor, watch the floor, okay? Change it up, serve to one. ANNOUNCER: Another kill by City, as they close in on set two. BREZ: Forget about it, ladies. Next play. (CROWD APPLAUDING) ANNOUNCER: City is on a roll. They look unstoppable. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) GIRL: You got this. Deep serve. You got this. Free ball, Carmen, free ball. Get it over! (WHISTLE BLOWS) Great job! ANNOUNCER: And West is down two sets to none. And the state championship is just one set away for City. (WHISTLE BLOWS) (GROANS) We had a heck of a run. We really did. Line would've said it was epic. We need more Trojans at the net, they're killing us there. I'll run the sixes closer to the antenna to throw them off. Yeah, good. So, Taylor, you make that adjustment. Let's shut them down. What? Freshman, you all right? Maybe we should go back to setting mostly to Mackenzie. Maybe that's the only way we have a shot. They've been blocking me, too. No, no, no. Trust your setter. She knows what you can handle, when you're the right person at the right time. You strong women got us here. You did this. I have never been prouder to be a coach. I love all of you so much. I want you to know that. Win this for yourselves. - We love you too, Brez. - Yeah. Now, come on, Coach, wipe off those tears. No crying on the court. - There is no crying on the court. - No crying! That's my rule, no crying on the court. Come on, you guys, let's play West volleyball. West on nine. ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, West! SCOTT: All right, this is your set. Let's go, let's go, let's go. You got this. Let's go. ANNOUNCER: And West needs to get something going here if they're going to have a prayer as we start the third set. Starts with a pass, ladies. - Freshman, here. - GIRL: Outside. Yes! Way to execute, Freshman. Very nice. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) ANNOUNCER: Number three with a kill for the win. These West High Trojans have taken their first set. Yeah! ANNOUNCER: The question we're all asking now is will they be able to go the distance as we start the fourth set? (WHISTLE BLOWS) (CHEERING) ANNOUNCER: And we are neck and neck here at the end of the fourth set. GIRL: Get on that! - Yeah! - Yes! (CROWD CHEERING AND APPLAUDING) And West is one point away from taking this to a fifth set. All right, guys. We're back in it. - Pass me the ball. - Yeah, I will, babe. Okay. Double time, all right? Double time! Let's finish this, all right? Let's go! (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) CROWD: Go, West, go! Go, West, go! GIRL: Back set! (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) GIRL: Yeah, me! Outside! Outside! Yeah! ANNOUNCER: Huge kill for 11! We are going to a fifth set, where anything can happen. We have set. Okay? Only 15 more points, guys. - We can do this! - We are doing this, you guys! Whole crew got the juice Yo game the truth My screams is the proof Them other dudes get the deuce When I speed in this coupe, leaving the interview (CHEERING) Banging the drum like, dum di di day I know you want it in the worst way I wanna hear you calling my name Like, hey mama, mama, hey mama, ma Be my woman, girl, I'll be your man (CHEERING) Be your man Be my woman, girl, I'll be your man BREZ: Nice serve, Kelley. Yeah, it's up. It's up. Yeah, power! Yes! Forget about it, ladies. Next play. ANNOUNCER: And with that kill, City is one point away from the state championship. One pass, ladies. One pass. BREZ: Okay, here we go. Get ready for a cross. (CHEERING) ANNOUNCER: I can't believe my eyes! City misses their match-point serve! BREZ: Nice serve. Yeah, it's up! GIRL: Pass that! - GIRL 2: Outside! - GIRL 1: Here, here, here! Yes! ANNOUNCER: A smart play by 11 off the block puts West up by one. And for this marathon to end, they have to win by two. Hey, hey. Who feels good for the last play? - Go with who always delivers. - Yeah. Okay. All right. Outside three. You got this. All right. Front hands, front hands! Watch dump, watch dump. You got two swings. Use it, ladies! ANNOUNCER: And number one for West, serving for the championship. It all comes down to this. Go, go, go! Outside! It's mine! Taylor, it's you! ANNOUNCER: And it's good! (EVERYONE SCREAMING AND CHEERING) And the West High Trojans are state champions two years in a row! The stuff of legends! GIRL: Yeah! (ALL CHEERING) ANNOUNCER: The West High Trojans have come back from two games down to take the championship. Thank you, Coach. Thank you, Kelley Fliehler. You are, without a doubt, one heck of a volleyball player. Oh, my God! - I'm shaking. - She'd be so proud of you. Where it began I can't begin to knowing But then I know it's growing strong Good job, Coach Brez. Good job, Brez! Good job, Coach! Then spring became a summer Who'd have believed you'd come along Hands Touching hands Reaching out Touching me CROWD (SINGING ALONG): Touching you Sweet Caroline Ba ba ba Good times never seemed so good So good, so good, so good Sweet Caroline Ba ba ba To believe they never would Sweet Caroline Ba ba ba Good times never seemed so good So good, so good, so good Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good I'd be inclined To believe they never would But now I Look at the night And it don't seem so lonely We filled it up with only two And when I hurt Hurting runs off my shoulders How can I hurt when holding you Son of a gun, I started to get the wheelchair ready, and she said, "I'm gonna walk outta here." One, touching one And she did. Touching me Touching you Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good I'd be inclined To believe they never would Oh, no, no Iowa City West needs just one more victory to repeat as state champions. Sweet Caroline ANNOUNCER: That's Iowa City West for the championship match-point. They set it off to the left side, and a nice dig out of there by Mollie Mason. Stump dumped over. It's down! They've done it! And the championship to the women of Troy! CROWD: Good times never seemed so good So good, so good, so good Sweet Caroline I believed they never could CROWD: Sweet Caroline Ba ba ba Good times never seemed so good |
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