Personal Narrative: The U15 Montco Alliance Team

Throughout the duration of middle school, I had always engaged in played volleyball. When middle school was over, I spent my whole summer at volleyball workouts at the high school, because it was something that I really did take pleasure in doing. I went every time, without exception, when they were offered. When it came time for tryouts, I felt that it was unquestionable that I had made the team, because I had played before. In life, however occasionally the plans that you make for yourself don’t work out. I didn’t make the team and it bothered me to start with. I knew that I still wanted to play volleyball, but not being able to play wouldn’t be the end of my world. The following days I began to look around online at some places in the area that would entitle me to still play volleyball.

I had spent most of my childhood happy, without much pain or adversity; as a result, the moment I learned I did not make the Junior Varsity volleyball team my freshman year, I was especially devastated. When I showed up on our first day of tryouts I was excited. I looked forward to playing volleyball all summer with my friends. I worked hard, and I felt really confident at the end of the two weeks; certain that I had made the Junior Varsity team. The coaches took me to a secluded room and sat me down to explain which team I had made. I was almost already thanking them, not realizing that they were telling me, "We think that your skills at the moment would shine best on JV2; work on your technique and practice being a leader.”

For most of my life, I was skilled in organized sports, especially soccer, which I had played for many years. After a successful soccer season my freshman year, I thought that I would make the JV team for sure. At tryouts, I went through the motions of each drill. I breezed through the conditioning tests, doing the bare minimum for each test. I didn’t try as hard as others, as I felt that I was more skillful than most of my peers.

Approximately four years ago, twelve of us accepted a position on team that none of us, not only knew anything about, but also did not expect much from. We were twelve individuals that were seeking a college soccer experience at the division I level and if you ask any of those girls back then, none of them could have predicted the reality of the four years that we would ultimately spend here. This team had experienced heartbreak in freshman year on many levels, battled through the pain of losing in the semi-finals of sophomore year, and again losing in the finals last year. To be a part of this program is unlike any experience I’ve had before. There is always a supportive and positive environment; there is always progress being made every

“When your legs can’t run anymore, run with your heart.” Spring is the best time of the year, because it is soccer season. Spring of 2016 was a special time to me, because I was a freshman at Wahlert Catholic High School trying out for the women’s soccer team. I went into the first open gym scared, nervous and excited all at the same. The open gyms were for use to get in shape for the actual season and for the coaches to get a better look at our soccer skills. Previously in the year of 2014 I played for a club soccer team called DSC or Dubuque Soccer Club. After that 2014 season was over I decided to quite DSC and try something different. So going into open gyms I knew that I was going to be a just a bit rusty because I haven’t played soccer in a while. As open gyms went on some upperclassman were telling me that the coach was very impressed by the skills I had. Being only a freshman it was very flattering to know that the coach thought that about me. Knowing this it drove me to keep pushing myself hard and hard, because my goal was to make it on varsity.

The heat was oppressive and the drills were challenging, but I could succeed. Three hot days of drills and games, laps and running, and the try outs were complete. The tryouts were now over, but the waiting had now begun. Texts crossing paths, everyone anxious, refreshing the emails; it was more than I could bear. Would I make it? Would I succeed? Although I wanted to, I knew it would not matter. It was the confidence and determination I displayed that had really affected me. After hours of waiting, I finally received the email, and opened it hesitantly. Expecting a serious, not so inviting message, I was nervous; however, once I read the email, I was pleased to see the positive expression, “Congratulations!” spread across the top. I made it. I was finally a part of the

Joining a new club soccer team coupled with almost daily workouts allowed me to improve my skills in the offseason. The feeling of going into tryouts being so prepared allowed a new level of confidence to emerge in myself. With only two starting spots open, working hard from the very start was necessary in order for me to prove myself to coach. After making the team again, I knew giving my best effort couldn’t end here. I showed up to practices with a positive attitude, always ready to work hard. When the preseason scrimmages, long practices, and exhausting fitness checks were over, the feeling of having earned a starting spot was incredibly satisfying. Now, not only am I working hard to keep up my starting spot, but I am hoping my attitude will rub off on everyone and make the team stronger. Afterall, soccer is a team sport; and the possibility of winning a state title in the near future adds to my ambition to perform well for my teammates every time I step on the field.

Growing up, sports never seemed to be my expertise. Dancing my youth away, I never imagined to show passion for such an intrusive contact sport. My friends continued to nag at me saying “You have to try out for the soccer team.” My first year of middle school I stepped out onto the field. Occasionally forgetting to breathe,I focused right on the ball. I started to think to myself that I could get used to this. I mean how bad could it be? What I didn’t realize was I did not have much soccer skills under my belt, but making the team already was an accomplishment. I respected the captains when they talked, and I tried, day after day, to pick up the skills they possessed.

I have always been told that I got blessed with my genes. Everything I do athletically just comes natural to me. I have had the opportunity to play multiple sports whom of which I have had success in. In all of the sports I’ve participated in I have loved soccer the most and track is just the most natural sport for me. I’ve played soccer for over half of my young life. Soccer just makes me happy when I play. I have also been blessed by being average at soccer too. I didn’t do well my 9th grade season so coming into being a Sophomore I wanted to change that. I worked hard in the off-season and I became a varsity Captain and I finished the season 3rd in the area for assist and was a 2nd team All-District player. I was proud of myself but i knew I didn’t give it everything I had.

I had gotten my first summer job where I was required to work at least 35 hours a week and with some of the money I saved up from my summer job I bought a regulation sized soccer net for my front yard. I worked seven hours everyday from 5:30am to 12:30pm and as soon as I got home I put on my cleats, grabbed a ball, and went outside to practice for about two hours. If it rained I either went to the local indoor soccer facility or in my garage. I found new moves on how to get around a defender from YouTube and I worked on them until they were perfect. Soccer tryouts were in the beginning of August and I felt more prepared than ever before. The coaches were a little surprised to see me because they thought I might have given up after being let down twice but this time was going to be different. I tried all the moves that the internet had taught me and I came in third for speed and agility testing. As I was leaving after the last day of tryouts my soccer coach stopped me to say he was proud of my work and that things were looking good for me being moved up. On the Monday after the results were supposed to be

Entering that room, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. As I sat there my heart dropped when I heard the words, "you made the team", "you are not going to play much", and "if you tryout next year you will not make the team". I was in such a daze as I reemerged from the room. It was as if the wind had been knocked out of me and I was having trouble understanding what had just happened. I had never felt disappointment like I did in that moment in my entire life. Soccer had been the only sport I knew for 8 years. Change had always been a struggle for me since I was little so I was aware that trying a new sport was going to be difficult. Field hockey captains practices were held during the summer, so I decided to go to one and

Our school was never very good at sports and only about five girls would be cut. I was jittery the day that the varsity roster was to be posted; I wanted nothing more than to be part of the team. After classes ended, I walked to the athletic board, where the varsity roster would be posted. I anxiously scanned the list for my name. I scanned it again. As my eyes ran over the page a third time, my heart began to sink. I hadn’t made the team. I was one of five girls who were cut from the varsity team. In a daze, I went to practice. Instead of focusing like I usually did, I went through the motions. The five of us who made up the junior varsity team had a separate practice with the assistant coach. After the sting of failure finally faded, I began to work harder than before. I showed up early to practice and stayed late every day. Every weekend I spent at least two hours on the field practicing. I was determined to make the coaches regret putting me on the “JV” team. As the season ended, I didn’t stop working to become better. Any day that was not too cold, I could be found on the field. When spring came, I joined the soccer team, hoping to improve on my endurance and speed. Over the summer, I spent at least two hours every day running and practicing. When the field hockey season rolled back around, I was ready to show off my skills and make the varsity

After playing ball freshman and sophomore year, I began to lose motivation and love for the game. I began receiving less and less playing time and my confidence was being torn by the coaches. Throughout this time however, I had grown a love and appreciation for the sport of soccer. I had been playing informal pickup games on the weekends with friends. My parents encouraged me to try out for the team my sophomore

When I got to the gym, a hum of optimism was in the air, and even though half of us felt like collapsing in exhaustion, I could tell by the sparkle in our eyes that we were as ready as a firing rocket. I had realized that joining the GCA Volleyball team was so smart, a true genius couldn’t deny it. With juggling school, church, AND volleyball, I could be more responsible, and ready for college, as well as a job. I could learn to space and manage my time wisely which I know is something I would have to do very soon. And stress, luckily, wasn’t much of a problem with volleyball, so I didn’t feel like tearing out my hair at any point. There are no regrets in my heart for joining the team, making new friends, and becoming better at

I am an upcoming senior graduate of class 2019. I was born in Weslaco, but I’ve lived and grown up all my life in Mercedes. Both of my parents have raised me in the most humble and honorable way as they possibly could. Since I was little my dad has taught me everything he knows from automobile to being a handyman. My dad taught me all this so I wouldn’t depend on someone else to do something for me. Even my mom taught me this way by teaching me how to cook to house maintenance. Soccer has interested me because of my dad. He has taught me how to play the beautiful game since I was little. He has gone to all of my games even now to support my dream to become a professional soccer player.