Eat. Sleep. Volleyball. Repeat. For the past 12 years, volleyball has been my life. From school ball to travel ball, volleyball has been 24/7, 365 days a year for as long as I can remember. Holidays, birthdays, good days, and bad days all spent playing the game I love.
Teammates from when I was just 12 years old have become life long friends and even more part of my family, teaching me that the sports we love are more than just a game. Coaches have impacted my life on and off the court pushing me farther than I ever could of imagined and believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
From East Coast to West and everywhere in between traveling for tournaments has allowed me to see more of the world than I could have ever imagined. Looking back as an adult I realize how much my parents gave up to make this possible and for that I am forever grateful. The memories of taking over airports, hotels and convention centers to play the sport I love with my best friends and teammates are something I will cherish forever.
The game has taught me the importance of commitment, determination, drive, and teamwork; something that has helped shape me into the person I am today. As I got older and the commitment intensified learning to prioritize was key. “Sorry I can’t, I have volleyball” was a copy and paste text ready to go, but I never minded hitting send because I knew how lucky I was to be able to play the game I love at such a high level. Learning how to win with humility and come back from a loss with pride is a court skill that has carried over into my personal and professional life. Even the best can always be better is something that was instilled in my young athlete self that I will never let go of.
Sitting on the bench watching the game you love is one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences. There’s been times I was on the bench because my teammates were better than me and in those moments I learned to accept it, cheer my teammates on, help anyway I can, and be ready for my chance to shine. When I get back to practice, I bust my butt even more using it as motivation to make my team and myself better. Being on the bench due to injury is one of the hardest and most humbling experiences. Every ball you watch drop makes you want to work even harder to recover so you can be back on the court and make sure that never happens. In not only my life, but also many of the athletes around me sometimes injuries give athletes a new drive, inspiration and determination, returning with a new mindset and setting their game on fire. With any injury a reality comes over you that any play could be your last so play like it!
The game goes far beyond the blood, sweat, and tears put in. Far beyond the countless practices, workouts, travel and sacrifices made. Beyond the trophies, medals, and even memories, the game has left an imprint on who I am and the person I continually strive to be. The best years of my life were spent playing the game I love, and although I know I may not be able to play forever, I know the lessons learned will forever play in me.
