Mothers always win

The DAM game was something else. 
Giltner’s volleyball team took the floor for one final time in 2021, but the opponent on the other side of the net was quite the authoritative figure. 
The players call them Mom. 
The Lady Hornets challenged their mothers to a friendly, yet ultra competitive matchup Nov. 10 in a contest that completely lived up to the billing in every way imaginable. 
The DAM (Daughters Against Mothers) included everything from coaches altercations, deceit, bribery, quality officiating and high-level action throughout the two-set affair. 
Early on in the opening set, the Giltner girls were having a few issues stringing points together against their mothers, and took their frustration out through chants:
“Where’s your glasses?”
Luckily, Giltner coach Jamey Eastman stood above the net and called a great game with no iffy judgements whatsoever. 
Despite the well-officiated game, the Moms found themselves in a bit of trouble midway through the opening set. 
Dustin Antle, dad of senior Macie, took charge and started coaching the Moms from the bench. 
It made for an interesting dynamic as Macie was barking instructions for the Lady Hornets on the other end. 
Yet, the Moms were looking for an added boost. 
The bounce rule went into effect.
This very important rule allowed the ball to bounce on the floor one time for the Moms, a distinct advantage the Lady Hornets had issues adjusting to as the first set wore on. 
Yet, the youngsters fought through adversity to keep a lead moving forward. 
At that point, another Dad involved himself in what some called a fair move, others not so much. 
Dad Michael Wilson watched intently with interests on both sides of the net, approached Eastman at the net with a bit of a proposition. 
The proposition seemed to include a dollar bill. 
My assumption was Wilson owed Eastman a dollar and was just covering his dues, but it wasn’t interpreted that way on the daughter side of the net. The debate rages on. 
Despite the adversity, the Moms came charging back late to take the opening set from the daughters. 
It was unclear whether or not the dollar bill had anything to do with how the first set ended. Seemed like still a touchy issue on the daughter bench as boos continued to rain down. 
I thought Eastman made some good calls in a tough spot. 
After the first set ended, a few pleasantries were exchanged between coaches Dustin and Macie, father and daughter. 
It didn’t really sound to me like they were making plans for after the event, either. 
Macie was restrained by her daughter teammates and was removed as the coach for the second set and took matters into her own hands, taking the floor as a player. 
What a competitor. Love to see it. 
Chants of “Where’s your glasses?” continued to rain down from the players bench as the second set started. 
A few crucial calls to begin the set fell the way of the daughters as the Moms became infuriated. 
Watching from my perch on the weight room above, I was a bit nervous. Jamey forgot the golden rule of officiating: never wrong a mother. 
I don’t know if I’ve seen this before but after that, the officiating crew handed out a few “make-up calls” to the Moms. 
The string of calls from Jamey and the line judges enraged the Lady Hornets as the tension in the room continued to tighten. 
There was one particular point midway through the second that came down to a classic rock-paper-scissors match between mother and daughter. 
Mom won, obviously. 
The momentum from the rock-paper-scissors victory carried the Moms through to a win in the second and a sweep over their Daughters, just as everyone anticipated before the match began. 
Never bet against Mom. 
The handshakes at the net were cordial and fair with hugs and photos after the game. 
To put it plainly, the DAM game was incredible. Giltner’s idea needs to be taken and used by every other school in the state. 
What a way to end off the volleyball season. Please, Aurora, Hampton and High Plains, do a version of this next year. 
If you do, please avoid the same day so I can watch all four. 
The lesson here was simple and a good reminder for us all. 
Never doubt Mom and Mom always wins. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net