Cupcaaaaakes!!!

Cupcakes are delicious -- especially when there's extra frosting...but they also have a duplicate meaning at AVA.  Players shout "cupcakes" when someone makes one of the worst errors in volleyball.  It's when a server... 

...misses a serve under the net WITHOUT even hitting the net.  That's bad....so bad, that the originator of "cupcakes", Johnny Eddins declared that the guilty party is dutifully required to bring tasty treats for everyone

The range of cupcake-eating-abilities.

These absent minded serves are quite embarrassing, more so someone belts a big 
"cupcaaaakes" immediately after.  It sounds bad, but the tonality is light & playful, not like a hungry hippo demanding these modified tea cakes in his tummy.  Further, cupcakes are not for 12 & unders learning how to serve...else we'd be scarfing down more cupcakes than water.  No, this cupcake serve is only reserved for those who are older & more consistent at serving.  In fact, it doesn't even happen that often.  On occasion though, a normally consistent server gets distracted during the serve or toss (Ooh LOOK!....A butterfly) and then delivers something better suited to bowling.   Cupcaking (also a verb) is such a poor mistake that it ranks up there with "Ole-ing" the ball; when players swing their platform at a ball and miss - similar to a toreador's red cape missing a charging bull (then the crowd shouts OLE!!!). 

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Coaches are always on hand to do the Heimlich in case anyone loses the ability to eat cupcakes safely.

Now it'd be nice if kids actually brought cupcakes after every knuckle-headed miss.  But really, it's evolved into a phrase that players blurt.  That said, there are a few kids who do bring honor to the cupcake tradition and provide cupcakes for all.  There are even a few future bankers that accrue missed serves throughout the season only to bring their account current on the final practice.   The last practice has been known to play host to much cupcakes.  It's crazy -- cupcakes cloud out the sky like a swarm of bees.  Players' cupcake-eating-abilities have also been know to diminish due to excitement.  Consequently, players tend to "ole" their mouth (see photos).

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Noah dawns his Pink Cupcake T-shirt (also available in light blue)

A young player paying homage to the tradition with Red Velvet.

It's worth noting, the best of the best bring Red Velvet Cupcakes (Johnnny's favorite).  And for those that are willing to make it official, AVA has a cupcake t-shirt.  If you're wearing the cupcake t-shirt and you cupcake a serve, you're required by the District Apparel Law to provide cupcakes at your earliest convenience.

Cupcakes (and vollis in the rain) are just another piece of the fun culture at AVA.  These tasty treats bring together feedback and miserable serves; further, they create opportunities to show accountability, generosity....and toughness.  

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