Hesperia coach rallying to beat cancer

February 15, 2013 9:12 AM

Volleyball lessons with Rebecca Lewis:

Ages: 8 to 17

Day: Tuesday and/or Thursday

Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Fees: $35 a month, one day a week; $70 a month, two days a week

Begins: First Tuesday or Thursday of each month

Duration: Four weeks

Location: Rick Novack Community Center, 13558 Palm St. in Hesperia

Participants must pre-reregister. For more information, call (760) 244-1007 or visit www.HesperiaParks.com.

SOURCE:

HesperiaParks.com

HESPERIA ? Volleyball coach Rebecca Lewis encourages players and corrects stances, straightens bent arms and moves fingers to better grip a ball to a background of volleyball thuds and players shouting, "I want it!"

Lewis said one must coach all aspects of volleyball: Offense, defense, passing, setting, hitting and spiking. She and her husband of 45 years, Michael Lewis, have coached together for more than 20 years.

Once beginners themselves, Rebecca and Michael Lewis learned the ins and outs when their daughter, Tina Lewis, wanted to play volleyball. But no one in the High Desert offered training.

They decided to open a gym and start coaching. After that, they said, God?s blessings kept coming. The location, sports court, lighting and weights all came easily, proving to the Lewises that they were headed in the direction God wanted them.

?God has a plan and we?re just being obedient servants and we feel his plan for our lives,? Rebecca Lewis said.

Then the plan took a detour.

In August, Rebecca Lewis was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy treatments made her too ill to coach for a few months.

?It was a part of life ? the real deal,? said Rebecca Lewis. She said she is honest about her sickness with her students, letting them learn how to handle it their own way.

The outpouring of response from people surrounding the Lewis family, including players they haven?t talked to in years, along with the support of Hesperia Community Church is what Michael Lewis calls incredible.

?It?s enlightening to see how she has affected people, not even knowing or trying ? doing what she does best,? he said.

Rebecca Lewis? use of positive reinforcement, which gives her students confidence, is one great aspect of her style, according to Brandon McAnulty, a recreation supervisor at Hesperia Recreation and Parks District.

Robyn Tominaga said her son, Tanner, 16, surpassed the skills Rebecca taught him. Now he helps her coach.

But for Rebecca Lewis, coaching is not just about the sport.

?Don?t just coach volleyball, coach the entire being,? Rebecca Lewis, who coaches at Hesperia?s Rick Novack Community Center, said last week. She uses her Christian values to teach children morals and how to be responsible.

Tanner Tominaga said he learned respect for his coach and elders, a quality that helps him coach.

Substitute coach Stephanie Espey used to be shy before she started volleyball 11 years ago.

?I wouldn?t be anywhere close to where I am without her,? Espey said.

Many of their players have gone on to coach at universities and junior colleges. One of their players, Caitlin Ledoux, plays professional volleyball.

?We love all the kids as if they?re our own,? Rebecca Lewis said.

Laci Olivas, 8, and her twin sister, Brooke, along with 11-year-old Taylor Olivas, now advanced players, didn?t know how to play volleyball before Rebecca?s coaching, mom Coberly Olivas said.

?Do not give up ? keep trying,? Laci Olivas said.

And for Rebecca Lewis, she continues to fight the odds.

?The game of volleyball can be used as a metaphor for Rebecca?s ordeal: Right now, she?s rallying back after digging that spike that cancer threw at her. And hopefully we?re setting her up for the kill,? McAnulty said.

?We want to thank everybody for their love and continued prayers,? Rebecca Lewis said, ?because it?s working.?

Get complete stories every day with the "exactly as printed" Daily Press E-edition, only $5 per month! Click?here?to try it free for 7 days. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755, 1-800-553-2006 or click?here.

Source: http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/hesperia-39063-rallying-beat.html

Barack Obama & Joe Biden Am I registered to vote Voter registration Election Election results 2012 exit polls Presidential Polls