All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
What it Means to Play
Bump, set, spike. Left, right, left. See, aim, pass. Countless commands were running through my mind. I was trying out for varsity volleyball and the pressure was on, because juniors aren't allowed to be on JV at my school. I'm a foot shorter than most Right Side Hitters, but that wasn't stopping me. That weekend I was focused and energetic. I dove for every ball, I swung at every set. I tried my hardest.
The only thing I didn't do was make the cut.
But this isn't a story about failure. This is a story about dedication. I never gave up on volleyball. I signed up for a regional league and practiced in the back yard every day. I enjoyed every second I spent playing. Then I decided to try out again.
I didn't make the team this year, either.
Am I still as dedicated? Of course. If I could, I would keep trying out until I was number fifteen again. I'm going to play this winter and want to continue in college. I love it. I refuse to quit. Rejection hurts, but volleyball is much more important.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.