Volleyball is one of the most underestimated sports out there. Everyone thinks they can play, when honestly they can't. We see it all over advertisements, the models look great but every true volleyball player crinkles at their form. It takes much more than physically understanding the game because at the end of the day it's all mental and whoever wants it more gets it. Whether you played the game years ago or are still at it, these are things every volleyball player knows too well.
1. Physical Abuse
Whether it be bruises that run all up on your thigh or a few broken fingers, volleyball players take a beating. Any player would much rather hit the floor for a ball then have to run a couple suicides or have the guilt of losing a game. Soreness is a daily morning routine, thunder thighs have never had a more literal meaning. Though they don't look pretty we take pride in our battle wounds and can casually say, "Yeah, I got a fractured rib."
2. Being Your Worst Enemy
We never settle for a good hit because we want to be great. The problem is when nothing seems to be going right: hitting out, serving into the net on a game point or just the plain old shanks, we end up getting too much in our head especially since you have your coach screaming at you from the sidelines. Even worse is having your over dedicated parent telling you to get your crap together.
3. Nightmare Practices
Waking up three hours before school is always a mission. You debate whether it's worth the lack sleep and then you remember volleyball is the only serious commitment you have in your life and is probably the only one you will ever have. But nothing is worst than the practice after losing a game. You know your fate but aren't ready to accept it.
4. Putting Up The Net
There was always the drama of who wouldn't help set up the net since some players were super selfish. #NumberOneTeamFight, though the conversations you would have during the set up were quite interesting, unless the net was super tangled and at that point you just wanted to punch someone. Maybe this is too old style but losing the crank was definitely the worst part, volleyball players turned to engineers real quick. Who's bright idea was to have the crank be detached from the pole. Ugh.
5. Strong Smells and Spandex Wedgies
Knee pads/shoes after practice or a game were definitely the most disgusting thing to encounter. In group huddles, there was always that smell of unwashed pads and you always questioned if it was you. The clothing problems didn't stop there though, spandex is a beautiful thing until it's deep in there and you can't just pick it during a game (even though I still did). Then you had the creeps who would always say "volleyball players are the hottest." The freak? Stop being a creep and get out of our gym.
6. Line Guarding
Honesty is the best policy, but honestly, sometimes I would just space out during my shifts. Especially having to watch the crappy games. This was the duty nobody wanted to do for the opposing team, you get scared for your life if you make the wrong call. Never been dogged harder in my life.
7. Falling In Love
At the end of the day you fall in love with the game. It pushes you physically but mostly mentally. Overall, it becomes a becomes a big part of your life and wouldn't change it for anything. Being on a court with your uniform and the team you love is an unexplainable feeling.
