"Shame" Blog

When I think about my childhood I can recall some good times and I can also recall some bad times. More good times would have to be when I was playing volleyball. I was pretty much destined to play because not only was my sister a volleyball player, but so was my mom and my aunt when they were in junior high and high school. I attended a private catholic school when I was in grade school and girls couldn’t play sports until they were in the fourth grade. I couldn’t wait until I was in the fourth grade because that meant I could play volleyball. I couldn’t wait to start playing and finally show my family that I could be a volleyball player too. My mom and sister would play in the backyard with me so that I could get better and learn a few skills before our first practice. We only had a few practices a week so I really needed all the practice I could get. I honestly was not very good. I didn’t have a good attention span so I really never learned how to do things correctly because I never paid attention long enough. I tried my hardest though to do my best and to impress my family. I wanted to be just like my older sister and be good at volleyball just like her. I remember having so much fun playing with my family and getting the neighbor kids to play against us in our backyard.

Playing volleyball also helped me to make a lot of friends in school. It made my best friend and me even closer. We were always partners and made sure that we got on the same team. I also met a few of my other good friends while playing volleyball in high school. I grew up playing with and against these girls in grade school and now it was time to unite in high school. Volleyball is a longer sport so we were all with each other every day for several months. Our circle of friends would share secrets and be able to make each other laugh out loud. This created a trust that could never be broken.

Volleyball not only helped me be a better friend, but it also taught me discipline and good work habits that would make me to be the person that I am today. I always wanted to do my best and achieve my goals in school. This helped me to make honor roll every school year. I probably had the best coaches that I learned a lot from and would always be willing to help me in anything that I did.

I can remember to this day my very first varsity volleyball game. It was a Thursday night and the varsity game started right around 7 p.m. That day at school all I could think about was playing in that game. I couldn’t wait for the game to start. I also had the biggest butterflies in my stomach. I was so nervous that my hands shook. When it was time for the game to start I remember wishing it wasn’t time yet. I could see my family and friends in the stands watching and cheering our team on. This made me even more nervous. I didn’t think I would get to play with being a freshman and it being a high school varsity match. I sat on the edge of my chair waiting and watching as our team was losing to our rival school. I then felt like we were all in slow motion when my coach told me to get in the game. I was thrilled but I knew I had a job to do. I wanted to prove myself and I didn’t want to let my team down. I ended up playing the rest of the game and we won our first home game of the season. It was a great feeling to be a part of a winning team. We had our ups and downs during that season, but I grew to be a better person by winning and losing.

I am the person that I am today by playing volleyball as a grade school student to being a college student. I learned how to work hard and have discipline while gaining experience and knowledge from the game. I also made good friends and had a good time with family. Playing volleyball will always be a good memory that I will cherish forever.