I was in second grade the first time I watched beach volleyball on television. What caught my eye was its trademark: tan lines, athletes, and a connotation that friendships were made on and off the court. More than anything I wanted a way in, a way to make friends because I simply could not identify myself as one who enjoyed playing with barbie dolls or being infatuated with horses. The first day of recreational practice, I was shocked in dismay. I was not there to play kid-games or to learn the backstory and favorite ice-cream of each of my team-mates, and I was ostracized by that alone. Everyone laughed and criticized me while I hit the ball against the hard concrete gym walls, and pushed to run drills instead of play around. In the preceding years my love for this sport only grew, from …show more content…
Volleyball was the sport for me. In seventh grade, I learned about club volleyball, a select team where people were way more serious and devoted, I was in. Immediately upon learning about club, I took it into my hands to find any club team willing to give me a fighting chance. Eventually I found a club team that was willing to take me on, and show me the discipline and motivation I needed. I yearned to know the agony of fighting to get better, the drive to dive into something and go all the way through without ever pausing for a breath.I dove into volleyball. If there was any open time in the gym before practice started, I was there. If after practice there was extra time, I texted my parents to eat dinner without me. Everyday I played volleyball I fought to get better, and after seven years of playing, I got ahold of the skills I needed to continue on. Paradoxically, this lead me to quit volleyball. I
It then started to get harder and each day was a different workout to help me and my teammates improve. I was at a point where all I could do was attend school, go to practice and go home. Each day I was beyond tired. At a point of time I felt like giving up and going back to my regular life, and regular schedule. As the coach started to notice how I felt, he pulled me to the side and started to question what was going on. I explained, but everything I said was not a good enough reason. My coach told me, “If this is what you really want you won’t give up, no matter how hard it may get you will overcome it.” That day I learned a valuable lesson, to never give up.
Neither my parents nor I had that desire for myself; therefore not one sport was more central than the other. Academic success stood as the most valuable compared to athletic success. That environment placed less pressure for me to train with greater intensity and focus when it came to competitive sports. Sports were extra-curricular activities as opposed to a full-time job and the pathway to the subsequent level. I absolutely benefitted from playing multiple sports throughout my youth. I have participated in soccer, basketball, football, track & field, wrestling, and even taekwondo. Competing in all these sports developed me into a better athlete and enhanced my fundamental movement skills that are necessary for all sports. In addition, it gave me multiple perspectives that I might not have had otherwise. This improved my ability to be a teammate and instilled in me a more competitive nature. Although different sports brought different demands, the growth of confidence remained the same. I never suffered from burnout during my youth, nor did I detest my experience. Ultimately, participating in multiple sports gave me time to decide where my passion lied and what I preferred to play. As a result, my participation in high school sports was limited to only football and
In the time it took me to actually love volleyball, I went through a vital journey
From the time I was born, I began attending professional volleyball games on the west coast beaches to watch my mom play in these matches. I spent many of my early years of life lying on the beach watching volleyball games. Once I was old enough, I participated in almost every sport that our local YMCA offered. I have been doing gymnastics since I was four years old and have been competing in it since I was eight. With gymnastics I have traveled all over the country. So far, I have spent the majority of my eighteen years of existence learning about sports and the benefits and drawbacks that come along with them. As I grew older, and my commitment to gymnastics increased, my friends began to see less and less of me. It seemed that anytime they wanted to plan something I was busy. They did not like that I spent so much time at the gym and they did not understand my commitment. I do not think that they ever believed that the benefits I gained from my experiences were worth my other sacrifices. However, despite bad days, crammed schedules, and questionable coaches, I have concluded that the good elements of sports far outweigh the bad. I believe that every child should be involved in some kind of sport because of the valuable lessons that are taught ...
Both teams are fighting for the win, only one point away, my adrenaline starts to run. I have adapted to live for the rush that comes with playing a sport. Volleyball has definitely been an outlet for me when it comes to school, family, and simply anything else. I have been on my high school volleyball team since freshman year. Although I loved playing, each year I struggled finding a balance between school and practice. I never let the struggle bring me down. I stayed committed to school and stayed on top on my assignments. I will admit there were times that i thought I couldn't do it anymore but i knew that to continue playing i needed to keep my grades up.
With my participation on the team, I saw that the sport not only taught how the sport was played, but life lessons as well. Every tournament we went to, my coach always told us, “Whether you win or lose, show your opponent respect and gratitude.” Because my high school was known for
Volleyball is my passion. I dedicate so much of my life to that sport, and sometimes, I wonder why. Then, I step onto the court. When I play, my insecurities and doubts disappear. I am so much more confident in games than I am in everyday life. I played softball and basketball when I was little, and I wasn't so bad, but in sixth grade, when I discovered the game of volleyball, I fell in love with it and never looked back. In junior high, I was really chubby and slow. The coaches would tell me that the only thing holding me back was my weight. My sets were great, but I couldn't get to the ball. So, do you know what I did? I went out and lost fifty pounds in the matter of one year. I learned how to control my eating habits, and to discipline myself into working out.
In sixth grade, the coach that I had was also very young and did not know a lot about volleyball. During practice, she sometimes made us watch sports movies instead of practicing volleyball. Also, my teammates were very rude and I did not get along with them. We always got team punishments because of their actions, attitudes, and bad behaviors. One time,
Volleyball is now one of my favorite sports. I still love softball and basketball, but volleyball is definitely one of my main interests. It’s crazy how I didn’t really like volleyball at all, and now I actually love it! My mom was right, although I don’t like to admit it, and I think I’ll be playing volleyball for a while
Mama thought I was a cultural disappointment and dad thought I was disrespectful for attempting such a “manly” sport. My relative judged me for wearing my volleyball shorts and mocked me for thinking that I would one day make it as a world renowned player. Even though I felt torn in two, I never gave up. At school, I was a strategic volleyball player, but at home I was the undisciplined, the rebel, or a story of a good girl ruined by negative influence. Volleyball taught me how to understand the world around me and helped me find my voice and confidence.
Throughout my early childhood, I went through several different phases. I practiced an abundance of different activities such as: dance, baseball, tumbling, gymnastics, and even baton. However, none of these sports or hobbies stuck. That is, until I discovered volleyball. Never have I felt the love for something as much as I did this sport. Volleyball has had an unimaginable impact on my life in so many ways. I would not be the person I am today if not for this sport.