The email arrived at 7:32 AM on a Tuesday, and Leo read it standing in his kitchen, coffee in one hand, toast in the other, his knee aching from the cold weather.
Dear Coach Cruz,
My name is Elena Reyes. I am the mother of Mateo Reyes, a 14-year-old volleyball player. We recently moved to Westbrook from San Antonio, Texas. Mateo is 5'3" and has been told by every coach he's too short to play at a high level.
He saw your team play at the state championship. He watched you on the sidelines. He came home and said, "That coach is short too."
Mateo wants to try out for your team. He is talented. He is fierce. He is small. He needs a chance.
Are you willing to give him one?
Leo stared at the screen. 5'3". Fourteen years old. Too short for every coach.
He'd been there.
He typed back: "Try
