Passing the Game Along

As I photographed a one-on-one volleyball clinic in College Station, I kept thinking about the way jazz musicians learn from each other, sharing something they've picked up along the way and giving another player a chance to make it their own.

For two hours, I had the opportunity to photograph Dustin Watten, a U.S. Men's National Team veteran and 2015 World Cup gold medalist, teaching from a career that has taken him to Poland, Germany, France, Brazil and Finland. I loved hearing how those experiences had shaped his understanding of volleyball.

Passing the language along

Some of the greatest musicians, including John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, developed their own voices while learning from the musicians around them. A phrase or a lick could give another player something to work with and carry into their own playing.

Coltrane described one of those exchanges in an interview with August Blume in The Jazz Review. He would visit Thelonious Monk's home, where Monk would play a tune at the piano and Coltrane would take out his horn and try to follow it. They'd go through it together, working on the parts he found difficult.

Coltrane later described Monk's influence this way: “I learned from him in every way.”

A pleasant surprise

Dusty had sent me a direct message asking if I was available to photograph a one-on-one clinic with an athlete. After a little discussion, I told him I'd love to, and we arranged to meet in College Station.

I arrived still having no idea who the athlete would be. Then Gabi Rodriguez walked in with Dustin.

Gabi is a freshman libero and defensive specialist for Texas A&M from McKinney, Texas, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors in September 2026. I have had the opportunity to photograph her in several matches at Reed Arena and have become a fan of her dynamic way of playing the game.

To be completely honest, I had a bit of what we might call a fan-photographer moment. It was such a pleasant surprise to realize I'd be photographing this clinic with Gabi, who I had come to love photographing on the court.

Gabi was as sweet as anyone could be, and her love for the game was obvious from the moment the session began.

Dustin’s stories

Each time Dustin began explaining a concept, he either introduced the player he'd picked it up from or told the story of a player who modeled it well. He shared stories from his own experiences on the court with these athletes throughout his career.

I enjoyed that part of the session as much as the volleyball itself. His experience has taken him around the world, and listening to him explain what he'd learned from those players gave me a sense of how much he continues to take in from the game.

Watching Gabi learn

What fascinated me about Gabi was how quickly she took in what Dustin was sharing. He would explain something that seemed new or different to her, and almost immediately I could see her grasping the concept.

I have enjoyed photographing her during matches, and now I was getting to watch her learn. Seeing her respond so quickly gave me another reason to appreciate the athlete I'd been following at Reed Arena.

Behind the camera

I played my usual role of trying to stay as invisible and inconspicuous as possible, taking photographs throughout the two-hour clinic while enjoying everything I was able to take in.

Between the stories Dustin shared and the opportunity to watch Gabi discover these new ideas, the time flew by. I loved being close enough to follow that process and photograph moments that people watching a match wouldn't ordinarily get to see.

I hope these ideas and photographs give people a fuller view of her athleticism and volleyball IQ. Watching how quickly Gabi grasped what Dustin was sharing gave me an even greater appreciation for her as an athlete.

As I walked out the door, I thought to myself that this might have been one of the most fascinating and fun shoots I'd had the opportunity to be part of.

Matt Powell is a professional sports content creator who crafts creative assets that drive athlete and team branding strategies.