In many ways, Clint Cary is what one might consider an ordinary man.
He was born and raised in California, and a member of the California High School class of 2002. Cary currently works as an engineer specializing in hydrology and hydraulics, and is also a father to his daughter, Jade, who is in first grade. Cary has a hobby that might surprise you, though - he's a part-time male volleyball player and organizes some of the biggest co-ed volleyball tournaments in Missouri.
Just like every sports player, Cary had a place where his career began. But for Cary, his volleyball career started quite unexpectedly.
"I was 22 years old in college at Missouri S&T (in 2006) and I was shooting hoops in the student rec center, and I heard these 'ka-booms' on the court next to me," Cary said. "I peeked around the corner and there was the S&T men's club volleyball team doing hitting practice, hitting perfect sets and just smashing balls on the court. They were truly really good as they were mostly (St. Louis and Kansas City) guys that had played boys club and (high school) volleyball and now playing college ball. I sat and watched them and decided at that moment I was going to play volleyball like them one day."
Despite missing the cut at Missouri S&T men's volleyball tryouts a few months later, Cary didn't let that disappointment discourage him. He kept learning about volleyball and how to play the game at a high level.
One year later, Cary made S&T's volleyball team in 2007 and soon found himself playing in several tournaments as a college men's volleyball player.
"Within one year of first watching those guys play, I was playing in a huge tournament alongside them at Iowa State University, playing against teams from Division I and II colleges," Cary said.
Even after earning his collegiate degree from Missouri S&T, Cary said he still wanted to continue playing volleyball. He soon after found the opportunity he had been looking for through the Show-Me State Games.
Cary has played co-ed volleyball at the Show-Me State Games nine times since 2009. Along the way, he's won nine medals, including four golds.
"Each time, I was the team captain who assembled the team and played on it. I have been blessed to have many of the best women and men from all across the state play on my teams in the Show-Me Games," Cary said. "I've had National Adult Champions, National College Champions, and players who have played AVP events on my Show-Me teams. And we have played against the best in the state. We've played against MU players, against other National Champions, and even against players who have played professionally. In fact, the first time we won gold, (in) 2014, we defeated a team who had a male player who has since played professionally in both the AVP and indoor."
Being a male volleyball player, Cary said he is well aware of one of the biggest misconceptions many people have about volleyball - that it's only a sport the girls can play. But this has never been the case. Male volleyball has become more and more popular throughout the world since volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964.
Cary explained that especially in this area of Missouri, volleyball doesn't have the kind of youth structure for male players as other sports.
"It has a long history of being a popular sport among girls, and due to that, a strong club and school infrastructure exists to bring ample opportunities to young ladies to learn the game," Cary said. "That infrastructure does not currently exist in mid-Missouri for young men because sports such as basketball, baseball and football are traditionally very popular among rural young men, therefore drawing the attention of most male athletes."
Cary said he believes volleyball is unappreciated as a sport.
"Most people have no idea how the game's supposed to be played, because they rarely see it played on a very high level," Cary said. "But the game is designed to be so much more than that. High-level volleyball is amazing in that it is, of course, a team sport, plus it requires a great degree of physicality, as well as a huge mental aspect."
Cary described, for example, how the setter on a volleyball court is the equivalent to a quarterback on a football team, constantly evaluating matchups and who to give the ball to in order to score the next point. But he also said all players on the court must constantly anticipate and move very quickly. He said it is a sport that people can play and enjoy throughout their lifetime at various levels through leagues and tournaments.
Fortunately for male volleyball players across the world, there is no rule in the rule book of volleyball that states that only women can play the game, just like every other big-name sport in the world. According to Cary, all someone needs to start playing volleyball is an interest in the game and how to play it.
"Give the sport a chance," Cary urged. "Don't dismiss it as boring because you don't see it on TV every day. Look up Olympic videos on the internet and allow yourself to see how the game is supposed to be played. It's a wonderful sport that can be played and enjoyed life-long. I'm 37 and privileged to still be able to play on-par with the very best in the state, but it can be played and enjoyed on many different levels. Plus, you never know, you may just meet your spouse playing co-ed volleyball - I did."