I became infatuated with the sport when I entered the sixth grade. I knew that my seventh grade year, my first year in junior high, that I just HAD to try out. The end of our sixth grade year was drawing to a close and I it times for my very first spring training. The butterflies in my stomach grew stronger and stronger as the soon to be seniors led the stretches. It felt so weird to be out there with girls so much older than me. That day I knew this was the sport for me
The next morning I woke up excited for the next day of training, but when i jumped out of bed I realized how sore I was. Volleyball looks easy, but trust me it is not. That first summer playing volleyball was full of new adventures from my first camp trying to learn every rule and fundamental, to summer work outs where I tried to learn the right form for every lift. That first summer had many bumps, but the anticipation for the first game soon set in.
The first game had me hooked, we may not have won--to be honest I really cannot remember-- but I just knew that I would never quit. This was my game. At the end of every school year, it would be time for the annual spring training, and each year the butterflies were less present than the year before, as I knew the rules and fundamentals, even if I was not the greatest player on the team.
Every year seemed pretty uneventful until my sophomore year. That year I was asked to play up on the varsity team when they needed me at weekend tournaments. I expected to go and sit on the bench, but I was still thrilled to have the experience. I was shocked during my first game with them when my coach looked at me and told me to go in. I was terrified. I know I probably looked like a deer in the headlights, but that tournament was when my passion grew even larger.
That year, we went on to the state tournament for the second year in a row (the year before was the first year the team had ever went). Nobody expected us to return to state that year, or the next, or the next, but we did. We never won the state title, but we finished fourth place once and eighth place three times. The last year playing at state was the hardest for me. Every one of our post season games had the potential to be my last game ever. When the last point of my last game was scored for the other team, I instantly started crying.
Not only had this been a fun sport for me to play, but I had also made the best of friends along the way. Some graduated before me and some with me. We made memories together through our trips to Auburn, bus rides to the state tournament, and our jam sessions before every home game. It was hard to say goodbye to the sport that I loved, but I have full faith that the younger players below me will keep our legacy going. If I could say one thing to them it would be to not take the time they have left for granted. The years go by way to fast. Have fun while you can because you will miss it. No matter how much you say you will not, you will.
