We love our sport.
I obviously can't say that volleyball is the best sport, or that it's the most interesting to watch, or that it teaches its players the most about teamwork...but of course I am thinking it. Because volleyball players, just like all other sports players, take pride in what we do. And no matter what team we play for, all volleyball players can relate to certain struggles and prides that are staples of what it means to be a team player.
1. Brush burns. Everywhere.
Okay, if you don't play volleyball, I know what you're thinking. "Why is this even a big deal?" I promise you, when your best friend is the floor and your favorite activity is diving, floor burns become a big deal. They pretty much become your whole body. Elbows, knees, hands...everywhere. Not a fun time.
2. The "good butt" stereotype.
"Oh you play volleyball?! You must have a nice butt then!" This is one of the reasons no one takes volleyball players seriously. If you go to a volleyball game just to see the girls in spandex, please refrain from going at all. Trust me, we know when you are there to support and when you are there to look. Spandex shorts are just a part of our uniform; we are not wearing them to show off or impress anyone, and all of us are sick of hearing it.
3. The team support.
Win or lose, we support each other. After every play, no matter if the point was ours or not, we come together and show each other that we have confidence. When we're substitute players, we never stop cheering from the sidelines. We are always proud of each other and we don't let each other get down.
4. The "braider."
Before every game, there's always that one person that knows how to braid well, and the whole team has that expert braid their hair. This expert braider is typically found kneeling on a bus or van seat, and/or one bleacher up from everyone else.
5. The fear of the "mine."
This is an odd phenomenon that is pretty evident in most volleyball games for most teams. When one person calls for the ball, typically with "mine," everyone Backs. Off. It's like all of a sudden the ball becomes radioactive, and everyone becomes scared of it. It's funny to watch, but it is a natural reaction.
6. The hatred of the white jerseys.
Most of the time, when players are given two different colored jerseys, one of the jerseys is white. Everyone hates them. They get dirty, they get sweaty, and they show everything. But since we have to wear one color for home games and the other for away, the only question is: where do we where the white ones? And sorry libero, but it's us against one here.
7. Endlessly needing new knee pads.
If you play a lot of defense, you know this struggle all too well. To those who don't play, this may only seem like a minor inconvenience, but I promise you it's so much more. When you are diving for the ball, you count on your knee pads to cushion the blow. When they're scraped up and the padding is worn, you don't get that support.
8. Thought the ball was out? Just kidding.
One of the worst feelings as a defensive player is when you call the ball out and it was actually in. It's even worse when you realize it right before it drops. It's a dumb mistake, and it makes you feel stupid, but everyone does it once in a while.
9. The obvious middle.
On most teams, there are typically one or two players who are way taller than everyone else on the team. They are almost always the middles. It's sort of like a game when you walk into the gym; spot the middle!
10. The family you create.
In this sport, your teammates become your family; and not just on the court. They love and care about you outside of practice and games, and the whole team shares a unique bond that I've personally never seen outside of volleyball. We believe in each other, and we know that no matter what happens, volleyball will always be a part of our lives.
