Hi! So I've really been struggling with a college essay topic and ended up writing about the struggle I've had with volleyball for the common app essay. I haven't heard back from my counselor about it so I'd really appreciate some feedback!
"Bump, set, spike". Those were the first three words I heard at the volleyball camp my friend begged me to go to two summers ago. I rolled my eyes and watched as the other girls played, wondering why they were even at a camp if they were so talented at volleyball. I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. I would hit the ball with my wrists instead of forearms (which is considered one of the seven deadly sins of volleyball) and it would fly all over the place. I couldn't serve and went home everyday with bruised arms, wrists, and knees. Through all this, somehow, I began to genuinely think that volleyball was fun.
A few weeks later, school started and volleyball tryouts had commenced. I made the rash decision to try out and, surprisingly, made the team. I was overjoyed! Maybe, I thought, by being on the team, my skills would improve. Oh, how wrong I was.
Volleyball season was short, but it seemed endless. Everyone seemed to be having fun, playing on the court, while I sat on the bench for the duration of every game. Luckily, the season eventually ended and I went back to living my volleyball-free life. I joined track in the spring of that year, but that's a different story.
Before I knew it, it was August again, which meant that preseason was soon approaching. I decided to give volleyball another shot. I was surprised to see at preseason that I had improved after ten months of not touching a volleyball. My coach even commented that I seemed "less afraid of the ball". Not the strongest praise, but I took what I could get. I made the team once again, and was benched for an entire season, once again.
This year was different, though. I started to get angry. (One might think that my rage would help me to serve the ball over the net. Don't be fooled.) I couldn't stand watching games from the side anymore. I realized that volleyball was taking a detrimental toll on me, and considered quitting mid-season. However, after thinking long and hard about my situation, I decided to be patient.
I learned to laugh at myself, which I have come to realize is one of the most important skills you can have. Being able to laugh at your own mistakes and move on is much more valuable than being able to serve a volleyball over the net. I started to forgive my coach, rather than resent him, for leaving me on the bench. Honestly, that was probably for the best, anyway. Being a part of volleyball allowed me to experience team spirit, respect, and cooperation. I created friendships with girls I would have never spoken to if not for being on the same team. I even became close with my coach, which I never thought would be possible, and am excited to be taking one of his classes this year. Something I will never forget about that volleyball season was during one of our last games. The other team was clearly going to win, and in what I am sure was a rash, heat-of-the-moment action for my coach, he subbed me into the game. All my teammates were screaming and cheering me on. I may have seriously bruised up my knee during those two minutes of fame, but I managed to bump the ball over the net.
While I have been reminded that I am not a sports person, especially not a talented volleyball player, I am still proud to call myself one. I have been able to learn and appreciate the value of a support system (my team) and all of the friends and experiences I have made along the way. While my volleyball career may be over, the memories and relationships I have made will surely last a lifetime.
"Bump, set, spike". Those were the first three words I heard at the volleyball camp my friend begged me to go to two summers ago. I rolled my eyes and watched as the other girls played, wondering why they were even at a camp if they were so talented at volleyball. I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. I would hit the ball with my wrists instead of forearms (which is considered one of the seven deadly sins of volleyball) and it would fly all over the place. I couldn't serve and went home everyday with bruised arms, wrists, and knees. Through all this, somehow, I began to genuinely think that volleyball was fun.
A few weeks later, school started and volleyball tryouts had commenced. I made the rash decision to try out and, surprisingly, made the team. I was overjoyed! Maybe, I thought, by being on the team, my skills would improve. Oh, how wrong I was.
Volleyball season was short, but it seemed endless. Everyone seemed to be having fun, playing on the court, while I sat on the bench for the duration of every game. Luckily, the season eventually ended and I went back to living my volleyball-free life. I joined track in the spring of that year, but that's a different story.
Before I knew it, it was August again, which meant that preseason was soon approaching. I decided to give volleyball another shot. I was surprised to see at preseason that I had improved after ten months of not touching a volleyball. My coach even commented that I seemed "less afraid of the ball". Not the strongest praise, but I took what I could get. I made the team once again, and was benched for an entire season, once again.
This year was different, though. I started to get angry. (One might think that my rage would help me to serve the ball over the net. Don't be fooled.) I couldn't stand watching games from the side anymore. I realized that volleyball was taking a detrimental toll on me, and considered quitting mid-season. However, after thinking long and hard about my situation, I decided to be patient.
I learned to laugh at myself, which I have come to realize is one of the most important skills you can have. Being able to laugh at your own mistakes and move on is much more valuable than being able to serve a volleyball over the net. I started to forgive my coach, rather than resent him, for leaving me on the bench. Honestly, that was probably for the best, anyway. Being a part of volleyball allowed me to experience team spirit, respect, and cooperation. I created friendships with girls I would have never spoken to if not for being on the same team. I even became close with my coach, which I never thought would be possible, and am excited to be taking one of his classes this year. Something I will never forget about that volleyball season was during one of our last games. The other team was clearly going to win, and in what I am sure was a rash, heat-of-the-moment action for my coach, he subbed me into the game. All my teammates were screaming and cheering me on. I may have seriously bruised up my knee during those two minutes of fame, but I managed to bump the ball over the net.
While I have been reminded that I am not a sports person, especially not a talented volleyball player, I am still proud to call myself one. I have been able to learn and appreciate the value of a support system (my team) and all of the friends and experiences I have made along the way. While my volleyball career may be over, the memories and relationships I have made will surely last a lifetime.
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