Many of us have something that we've done since we were little toddlers running around that has made us who we are today, whether it be sports, dance, choir or band. That thing for me was the amazing sport of volleyball. I've played it since the fifth grade and will continue to play until my body doesn't allow me to anymore. These things are what most sports bring each athlete, and those of you who are volleyball players such as I will understand completely.
1. Volleyball has taught me to be disciplined.
Not only do you have practice everyday at a specific time, but also if you didn't follow that ball to the line every time, that meant the team would be running a 16 from end line to end line. You have to be disciplined enough to make yourself do it every time that it just became second nature.
2. It has taught me that no teammate is left behind.
Whether it be finishing out their punishment with them, help paying for a meal, giving them a ride after practice or even helping them study to get better grades, you never leave one of your own behind. You are a team, so with one missing, you are incomplete. You stick together through thick and thin.
3. Your knees will probably be banged up for life.
The day your forgot your knee pads was probably the worst. Regardless if you had them or not, if you weren't on the ground trying to get every ball, in your coach's eyes that meant you weren't hustling. Every dive meant your knees took another one for the team, literally.
4. Spandex are your best friend, but also your worst enemy.
You wore them almost everyday. Every volleyball player has at least five pairs. The dreaded spandex wedgie we've all come to know and accept. We all wear them to have versatile movement and under dresses and skirts to act as Spanx. While we think they are super annoying, they're like a second underwear to us.
5. If you are a hitter, you probably have a ridiculously big trap muscle.
Being a middle hitter my whole life, I have one massive trap muscle from swinging. My friends, in turn, have called me trap queen for that sole reason. But you know what? I love my big lopsided trap muscle and wouldn't trade it for the world, because that means I probably wouldn't be playing this amazing sport to begin with.
6. Volleyball has always given me something that I constantly want to improve in.
While I've played for nearly nine years, I always want to be a better player. Starting college made me more into playing in sand, which is completely different from court, and it has made me want to become a better sand player. There's always something I can improve in, which makes me work harder to accomplish my goals.
7. It has made me a better leader.
From being captain in high school to being the president of college club, volleyball has always taught me to be a leader. When we go through a rough practice and have ran three sets of sprints, there needs to be someone to keep cheering and pushing not only yourself, but your teammates too.
8. It has given me something to look forward to and love.
Volleyball has been one thing I've stuck through since the fifth grade, and I wouldn't change that for the world. It's something that I get excited to do every week and something that pumps me up when there are amazing games. Every time someone makes an amazing play, I get super hyped. It's something that is near and dear to my heart and always will be.
Volleyball has given me the best memories throughout high school, college and hopefully years to come. It has taught me many things that I can use on and off the court. From a crazy big shoulder, to wedgies, to busted up knees, volleyball has helped made me the person I am today.
