Many people
today watch every kind of sport on television, from figure skating to football.
The importance of sports in my life has been crucial. Not only has it kept me
out of trouble, it has given me a sense of self-confidence and importance. In
my lifetime, which hasn't been very long, so far, I have played soccer,
volleyball, softball, basketball, and ran track. Even though I wasn't very good
at all of them, they have all taught me a little about myself that will last my
entire life. However, the most influential sport in my life has been
volleyball.
I have been
playing school volleyball now for five years and club volleyball for three
years. When I first started to play volleyball, it was way over my head. All
the other girls were playing for their second or third year. I wanted to quit because I felt that I was
just making the team worse. However, my coach at the time, Dave Hamm,
encouraged me to keep playing and to not give up. He also told me that practice
makes perfect. That was probably the most important thing that anyone has ever
said to me.
Club later led
to high school volleyball. At tryouts I felt like I was doing horrible.
I mean, I was
really a mess! My stomach had butterflies and I was so worried about making the
team. I had never had to try out for a team before and when they posted the
teams I didn't even want to look. I just had a feeling that there was no reason
to look but I got up enough confidence to go look at the papers. I actually
made the team!
I later met my
freshman volleyball coach, Walker Vaughn. He definitely loved the phrase
'Practice Makes Perfect' because he practiced us until we could literally
practice no more. Under his coaching I think I improved 110 percent! He taught
me to have fun with the game and never to stop trying no matter how far behind
or ahead we were. No matter how many times we failed, we had to get back up and
fight even harder.
His coaching
led us to a league championship and the satisfaction of being the best.
To all my
coaches I have ever had, I thank you for everything. You have all taught me
important life lessons and skills that will be needed to survive the world
today.