DEERING - Seven-year-old Blake Hughes and 11-year-old Anthony Caldwell have something in common: They both think volleyball is fun - especially if they are the one smacking the ball over the net.

&#8220”I like it,” Hughes said. &#8220I like to jump up and hit the ball.”

What is the secret to being a successful volleyball player?

&#8220Just be good at it,” Hughes said succinctly. Being four years older, Caldwell has had a little more time to think about this.

&#8220You probably have to practice a lot,” Caldwell advised. &#8220And you have to believe in yourself.”

Young Caldwell had a point: Believing in one's self can make a difference in the outcome of things. And this was one of the fundamental lessons of the annual Special Olympics volleyball tournament Friday at Dawson-Bryant Elementary.

The annual event brings together special education children from schools throughout the county to enjoy athletics, learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship and learn another valuable lesson as well: Goals in life (such as winning a volleyball game) are achievable if you try and if you believe in yourself.

&#8220They can hit that ball 15 times in a row and miss and hit it once and remember that one time,” said Andrea Downs, teacher at Ironton Middle School. &#8220They'll say ‘remember that one time I hit that ball?' They get a lot of self-esteem out of this. That's what we celebrate, little victories.”

Dawson-Bryant teacher Leslie Blackwell agreed. &#8220Like we all should,” she said. &#8220If we all celebrated little victories, our lives would be better. This is the highlight of my year.”