It’s not just a sport. Not to me.

It was my life.

The first time I picked up a volleyball was in 5th grade. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and didn’t have the slightest clue how much this sport was going to impact me later on. It sparked a passion in me that would grow with every day and shape me into the person I am today.

I practiced and practiced and practiced. I started to play all year-round, playing for my school in the fall, JO in the winter, then camps and other leagues during the summer. I began absentmindedly picking up a volleyball during recess, setting basketballs into hoops, and watching older girls play whenever I could. I couldn’t wait to be just like them.

And then before I knew it...I was. The thousands of hours of practice, hundreds of camps, tournaments, games, and scrimmages had all paid off. My sophomore year I found myself being asked to practice with the Varsity team during the summer. I honestly couldn’t believe it...I was so ecstatic I remember crying and hugging my mom the second I found out because it was finally my turn to play like the ‘big girls’ I had constantly idolized when I was younger.

Then came tryouts. I worked my butt off and tried to be the best player I could be. And the moment I saw my name on the list of everyone who had made it onto the Varsity team for that year, I broke down. I cried tears of happiness and found myself hugging a girl I had barely talked to the year before.

That’s how I met my best friend. After that day we were inseparable, and I have volleyball to thank for bringing us together. I met countless other friends along the way. This sport brought me closer to so many girls. With each team I played for, I formed bonds with my teammates that lasted far beyond the season--on and off the court. I had so much fun every year with every new team. I made countless memories that can always put a smile on my face whenever I think about them.

And just like that, it was my senior year in high school, and my career as a volleyball player was coming to a close. It was weird for me to think that there wasn’t another season around the corner like there had been for the last seven years. I was co-captain of the team with my best friend, and it was our third and final school season together. I cherished every home game, pump-up cheer, pre-game massage, and victory. There was not a day that went by that I didn’t love what I was doing. Every time I picked up volleyball I learned something new.

Volleyball taught me so much about myself. Throughout my career, there were many mental and physical lessons I learned both on and off the court. I learned how to work hard and get back up every time I fell. It taught me how to deal with failure, criticism, and doubting myself. There were days when I was tired, sore, or I felt like giving up, but I never once thought about quitting my passion. This sport was my life, something I looked forward to every day, and a part of me that I couldn’t imagine living without.

It taught me how to work together with others, trust my teammates, and be a leader. It has taught me how to adjust to whatever life throws at me. Not every play works out as you want it to and not every situation is what you expect. It also taught me how to be well-rounded and try new things. I played every position from a setter to a middle to strictly back row, and to this day it’s hard for me to pick a favorite.

And lastly, volleyball taught me to do what I love. As much as I can for as long as I can. I miss playing more and more every day, and I wouldn’t take back any loss, bad coach, or awful practice. Sure I’m bitter about some things, but it made me who I am today, and looking back on those memories will be something I treasure for the rest of my life.

So no, volleyball is not just a sport to me. My life wouldn’t have been the same without it.