volleyball (as usual)

     Everyone always asks me the same question. Is volleyball really worth all the trouble? Is it worth the stress, long hours, classes missed, and the late nights spent studying and staying in instead of going out and having fun? My answer every single time is always positively yes. It makes me kind of aggravated when people ask me this question. I always think, “Why would you even ask that? Isn’t the answer obvious?” People who don’t play a sport don’t realize that you can’t just stop playing. That when someone asks why you put up with it their isn’t an answer that you can just spit out to them.

     Volleyball is more than just a sport to me. As cliché as that sounds, it’s true. I guarantee most people would agree with me when it comes to the sports they play. Volleyball isn’t just a sport it’s a part of my life. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t have volleyball.

     When I decided to play volleyball for the college I considered a lot of things. I knew that it would be stressful and I would have to work harder than other people who have so much free time all day to do homework. The pros list was much longer than these few disadvantages. The pros included staying in shape, making friends, and doing something that I love. It’s kind of like through the transition of going from high school to college I had a constant in my life, which was volleyball. Through all the crazy changes from having a roommate, to being away from home, to not knowing anyone, volleyball was something I was used to. There is nothing new or different about it.

     Volleyball has been so much more than I could have ever imagined. All the girls are so nice and always talk to me when I see them around campus. The coach is very helpful and doesn’t yell often (only when we deserve it). Overall the atmosphere of practices and even games is usually relaxed and fun. Not only are these girls my new friends they are also becoming my family. We all go through the grueling pre-season together, suffer through the tough losses together, and celebrate all the victories that we worked so hard to earn as a team, as a family.  Not only are we there for each other in volleyball, but we are there for each other in life. Something I will never forget was a simple card the team gave me after my grandfather passed away the second day of preseason. I barely knew these girls and already they were there for me to help me out and support me.

     So when asked if volleyball is worth it, that’s my explanation to why it is.  

    

The nervous recruit

It's hard to believe that only a few months ago I was still in high school unsure of where I even wanted to go to college. I went on an overnight visit with the volleyball team at RC in March and I totally forgot how awkward it was until today when a recruit came to stay with me. Now this wasn't a random girl I had never met before, this was a girl who goes to my high school and was on my volleyball team for as long as I can remember. I didn't think that she would be so nervous visiting. She came to our game on Friday and right after she was going to ride back to RC and stay the night with me. As I was talking with her she kept on mentioning how she didn't know what to do, or if she should even go to dinner with us. She didn't want to be weird or be shunned. I was thinking to myself why are you so nervous it's just the team. They are all so funny and nice. She ended up going to dinner with us. Which as usual was Wendy's because our coach just loves that place. When we sat down to eat Michaela, the recruit, didn't sit with us. She sat with her dad until I invited her to sit with the rest of the team. 

Michaela is not a shy girl and she can be really loud so I was shocked that at dinner she barely said a word. Again I was thinking don't be nervous! They don't bite, I promise! 

After dinner I called my dad and I mentioned how nervous Michaela was. He responded by reminding me of when I went on my recruiting visit. I hadn't even thought about my experiences until he brought it up. I realized how awkward and nervous I felt when I visited. It's weird being with people you don't know. You don't want to say the wrong thing, because you don't want them to think you're weird. I barely talked on my recruiting visit, because the girls seemed so intimidating. Now being on the team with all the girls I stayed with last year makes me laugh at how nervous I was. These girls are honestly so nice and would include anyone new. 

Now I know how Michaela feels being in a new place with people you don't know. It's terrifying. You freak yourself out by thinking of the worst scenarios that could happen when really nothing bad happens. You just feel so out of place, like you don't belong. I just remember wanting to shout to the girls "I'm good at volleyball I promise, and I have friends so I'm a normal person. Don't think I'm a weirdo!" 

I could not imagine being at any other college or being on any other volleyball team. It's weird to think that only a few months ago RC wasn't my home.  I feel like from Michaela coming to visit it put everything in perspective for me. I took a moment and just was shocked when I realized how much my life has changed in the last few months. It is seriously crazy to think about.