A Volleyball Story

Middle school is a time when kids attempt to figure out how they fit in, and that is exactly what I was looking to do when I started playing volleyball. I was in seventh grade when I decided to try out, and it was only because my best friend was playing. Little did I know just how organized and complex the game was; I just assumed volleyball was a more intense version of “don’t let the balloon touch the ground.” I never thought that I would become so passionate about this sport that it would have an impact on my character.

     The sport of volleyball was created by a man named William G. Morgan of Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1895. Morgan was a physical education teacher at the YMCA and called it "mintonette". It was an indoor or outdoor pastime that had characteristics of both handball and tennis. The first rules were written down by Morgan himself. He wrote that the game called for a 6 foot 6 inch net and a court of 25x50 feet. A match composed of 9 innings and 3 serves for each team in each inning. In case of a serving error they got a second chance just like in tennis. If the ball it the net

On the afternoon of August 8th, 2016 a young girl was facing the tennis match of her life. The Girls 14s Nationals were coming to a close and the championship trophy was only 3 games and 1 set away. Everything she had dreamed for was so close, yet so far. The extremely sunny sky glared into her eyes, making it impossible to think. But she couldn’t lose hope now, if she won this match, she would be crowned the Girls 14s Nationals Champion for Tennis. All she had to do was clutch this game. Just a few more points…

What do you think when you hear volleyball; serve, bit, pass, net and ball. It's so much more than that it's aggression, passion, oomph,uphill battle, and love. At first I thought volleyball was just for fun, but then one day that all changed. "Hurry up and make sure that you have everything you need," my mom shouted. "Okay, I'll be out in a minute," I replied. I promptly jammed my shoes into my bag, zipped it and rushed out my bedroom and down to the front door. My mom rushed in and said, "Let's go." We seemed to accelerate down the road. As we approached the gymnasium the car and dashed into the building. Legion points into the game everyone started to glance around frantically

With the start of the second set, my outlook became slightly more positive. Though my newfound optimism allowed my frustration to subside, I was still unable to close the points. At the first switchover, I found myself down 3-1. Words of wisdom from my trainers were playing on a loop in my thoughts. Pivot, step into the shot, attack the net. I used these thoughts to maintain composure as I gained my first lead at 4-3. Being just two points away, I could almost taste the victory. I took the court with the most confidence in my shots that I had felt the entire match. However, my confidence was not enough to gain the set. Falling to 4-5, I was unsure of what approach to take to keep the set alive. One game was enough to change the outcome of the entire match.

Our hearts pounding and stomachs filled with excitement and nerves as we step into Georgian Court University’s gym. The day has finally come The Shore Conference Championship for girl’s volleyball! The gym is huge nothing like we are used to, you could practically see yourself in the hardwood floors. We are the first team to arrive so we get a feel for the gym before anyone else gets there. Including ourselves there are four teams that will have the chance to play in the final to win The Shore Conference. The first game is the semi-finals our opponent is the team Barnegat. Barnegat is known for there tall middles who like to hit the short corners, so knowing this we had to make adjustments that we are not so familiar with.

As a leader it is important to follow the motto service above self. My favorite activity / event of the 2016-2017 Rodriguez Prep school year was being on the school’s volleyball team. The experience of being on the school’s volleyball team impacted me personally.

I was doing everything I could to make Rock Ridge’s volleyball team. I was working out almost every day, I went to every volleyball open gym, and I went to many clinics and camps. Making this team was very important to me, and I didn’t know what I would do if I didn’t. I’ve been working very hard to get a spot on the team. However, nothing could mentally prepare me for the three-day long try-out process.

The ball whipped through the air, echoing through the gym like the snap from a leather whip. Lauren, our libero,had served. I glanced at the flashing scoreboard and winced at the score: 21-23. The other team had received the ball and were ready to set their outside hitter. Their hitter made a lightning fast approach and the ball spun through the air over to our side, aimed right at me.

Twenty minutes passed, we played just 7 games and the first set was complete. All that adrenaline I had built up had suddenly turned to shame. During changeovers, my coach was desperately trying to get me into my happy place. He tried talking strategy, but eventually realizing that his efforts were for naught, reverted to try and humor me by quoting “Animal House” or joking about how unattractive he thought my opponent was just to try and get my head on straight. As the second set neared its conclusion, I felt a sense of failure. About a week back, my team gave me the honor of being captain. I was supposed to be defending our new courts and setting an example for the young underclassmen hoping to one day be in my shoes. Instead, I was on the receiving end of a metaphorical butt-thumping by our biggest, most hated

I get back to the line to serve and the entire spacious and packed gym went silent. No one said a thing and I could hear myself shake. I bounced the ball and then pounded it into the floor for a little warm up before I serve and the sound echoed off the gym walls. All i had to do was get the ball over the net to give us a chance to play defense against Wheaton. The ref blew the old speaky whistle to serve and i looked at the net and felt as if it kept getting further and further away. I tossed the ball up and swung at it. Everyone watched as the ball caught the top of the net and fell to the floor. On our side. I immediately fell to my knees on the court. The game was finished with the score of 23-25. Wheaton

I felt like I could do anything. The moment was extremely surreal. I hadn’t accomplished anything so arduous in my life. The crowd’s cheers were thundering through my body. I had so much adrenaline coursing through my veins that I wasn’t even weary. People were jumping up and down, screaming in victory, and clapping so loud I couldn’t hear myself think. I couldn’t believe that I had just won the State Championship volleyball game.

Playing on the varsity volleyball team is an adrenaline rush like no other. To be able to play the sport you love with teammates that are like family, in front of a crowd of actual family members is the ultimate feeling. Playing is even better when you, a small town nobody, beat a ranked team in the first set. We had just beaten Humboldt 25-17 and I was on top of the world. We were playing like our lives depended on it and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls.

I first started playing volleyball at a very young age. I was in the seventh grade when my volleyball career started. My sister started playing in the seventh grade and I just wanted to follow her footsteps. My seventh grade year was ok because I had just started out and really didn’t know the game. There was A team and a B team, where A team was better than the B team. I tried my best to be on the A-team, but guess where I ended up, on the B team.

Volleyball, one of the world's greatest sports. From the hot and muggy gym, to sweat dripping down each players face, volleyball is not for the faint of heart. This sport requires a single-minded desire: to win. It takes more than just teamwork to win. Volleyball has always been one of my favorite sports. I would always meet a new friend anywhere I would go. Believe it or not these situations are how you could meet your life long best friends.