The third sport
that has made a significant impact on my life lies in the sport of
volleyball. I started playing volleyball my freshman year
of high school
because
I gave up on cross-country and volleyball always seemed like
a cool sport to try. My favorite volleyball memories lie
on 2 courts; the hard floors
of high school gymnasiums and the sandy beaches that line
the Atlantic Ocean. As opposed to my other sports, one
of my favorite memories from
high school
volleyball occurred at the practice before our
regular season match-up against our rivals, my senior year.
I will preface this story
by saying that unlike most volleyball teams I was extremely
pleased that our team properly rebelled against the uniform
norm of spandex shorts.
However, for that particular practice we decided to switch
things up and declare it Spandex Day. Little to our coach’s knowledge, these
outfits were not made up of ordinary spandex. Our 2 captains adorned
fluorescent colored shorts that complimented the matching fluorescent
mesh tops. The topped off those outfits with matching fluorescent bandanas.
The rest of us wore similar outrageous outfits and it was all worth it
when the entire team came parading out of the locker room and saw the
look on our coach’s face. That practice was filled with hard work
and preparation, but the light atmosphere allowed for it
not to feel that way. It worked too because the next day
we beat our rivals in four
games. The atmosphere created by our senior class of athletes
was what, I believe, was a major contributing factor to our
success. We set a record
for my high school after winning the conference title, but
my favorite memory was that practice.
Volleyball has always been more of a fun sport that I enjoy playing no matter what the skill level. This is why I look forward to every summer because I get to play volleyball on the beach. My junior varsity coaches from high school are usually at the beach every day with their friends to have semi-competitive volleyball games. These are not formal games and anyone can play, but in order to be “in” with the volleyball crowd one should have a bit of talent. My best friend and I spend our days diving around the court and getting sweaty and sandy before jumping into the ocean and coming out refreshed and ready to play again. This is a great form of exercise and a great way for us to challenge the men that come to the beach and think they can do anything. My best friend and I always have fun beating the boys. This sport is such a great outdoor activity that I will continue to participate in as long as my body allows for it.
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