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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
My Back-Up…Is My SISTER
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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It was an unusual circumstance for everybody involved. It’s not something found in coaching books or probably even parenting how-to’s. But when 14 year-old Francie Johnson got her first playing time on varsity as a Lincoln Christian freshman it was in place of her older sister, Chelsea. Chelsea, 17, is a senior starter and co-captain for Lincoln Christian School. But in the opening game of the season the elder Johnson started playing below expectations and looked towards the substitution line. It was her sister Francie who was set to come in and called for her to come out.
All Chelsea could think was all the grief she would receive from her friends who were attending the game.
Francie explained it best, “I was thinking, oh I bet she’s really mad.”
“At first it was kind of embarrassing, but it really motivates me when it is not just someone off the bench but it’s your own sister, that’s three years younger than you. So it motivates you a lot more than just any other person,” Chelsea talked about being replaced in a game by her sister.
It’s a situation that head coach Whitney Warren discussed, “Sometimes when her younger baby sister goes in for her when she messes up. And that’s kind of been an experience for both of them and for me. To have to try to make sure they’re adjusting well mentally and emotionally.”
“I’ve never actually seen the facial expressions. But I’ve heard from the fans it can be detrimental for Chelsea,” coach Warren said laughing.
For older sister Chelsea, volleyball has been apart of her life and the Johnson family since her sixth grade year. Living in Kentucky at the time, the school she was attending started a volleyball program and she thought she would give it a try. She played basketball and volleyball but came to the conclusion that sets and digs were more her thing than assists and lay-ups. The family moved to Oklahoma during Chelsea’s eight grade year.
Francie grew up with Chelsea playing volleyball. So when she was old enough mom and dad, Georgeanna and Scott, got her started in the game. She’s been playing since her sixth grade year and wants to continue on in the game.
But this was the first season the two sisters would play on the same team. It is also the only time it will happen at a competitive level.
Chelsea talked about her concerns coming into the season and playing with her younger sister, “Well I was afraid that she would just be kind of intimidated because I am her sister and I’m a senior. That she wouldn’t come out of her shell but she’s done a pretty good job of doing her job and not letting it affect her.”
The season has gone well so far and the sisters have both adjusted to being on the same team.
“It’s not as weird as I thought it would be. Because she’s a freshman so she’s kind of with JV. But its different encouraging her when she gets down cause it’s sister to sister. It’s okay cause I’m friends with all of her friends now too,” older sister Chelsea spoke of playing with her sister.
Chelsea, a senior, will finish her volleyball career this year. She plans on going into cosmetology following graduation. While Francie would like to play college ball but that is still a while away for the freshman.
“Francie is an awesome player too. She’s a freshman and looking to shine for us,” said coach Warren.
Coach Warren believes that having the sisters on the team has helped the sisterhood of the team. The fact that there are sisters on the team isn’t brought up but the coach and the sisters believe it does have a positive effect on the team.
“It’s been a very special relationship to have both of these girls. They’re both very talented and athletic,” coach Warren explained.
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