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All It Took Was Effort Large red and blue mats cover the floor. Thin black nets come down from the ceiling and latch onto the ground, separating one court from another. All the noises are blocked out, except the noise from the pounding of my own heart, sounding like a drum, beating rhythmically. I begin to feel shivers up my spine and my Mom seemed to have sensed my nervousness. "No need to be worried, Alyssa. You'll play excellent, just relax", she said with a nice, delicate voice. I take deep breath to regain my focus, and I reply, "Mom, I don't even know these people; I'm certain that they won't let me play by hogging the ball, or I'll just fail overall." I thought this over multiple times due to the fact that I was new to this volleyball team. I was unsure of how well we were going to play together as a team or how well I was going to converse with them. My eyes are roaming around the massive gym, trying to find my …show more content…
It was the lack of motivation that made my team and I sink down. We all thought this game would be a breeze once we realized how well we play together, because of this, we lacked effort since we were so over- confident.My coach called a time-out, and I guess she seemed to have noticed my team and I falling apart. "Show them what you're capable of, and give them that exact same effort and energy you give me in the practices," my coach said with a loud and roaring voice. We huddle once again, and chant our cheer. Once we finished we all put in all of our hands in the middle of the circle and yelled our team name, the Eagles! I walked back onto the court and realized this was our third game, the final game. If we win this game, we win, but if we lose, we lose our first game. Nervous energy filled up my body, but released, once I saw the volleyball in the server's hand on the other
The first day we got there we had started off so wrong by arguing. We weren’t doing well and we argued most of the time. Us as a team, we honestly made ourselves look bad in front of the coordinators and other teams that were watching us. The coaches had given us a real big pep talking about sticking together as a team to make us better. Although we didn’t think we needed it, it actually
Before we started, we had a meeting with the Coach and he said to us, "This is what we have been working for all year, so now let us show them what we are about."
As the clock struck 3:15 we began warming and limbering our muscles. I stretched my legs as far as they would go to the side and reached for the grass. I ran my fingers through the grass and counted along with the team. I felt my legs slowly begin to loosen with each stretch and sprint that we did. Following our series of warm-ups we began playing catch Pop! The sound of a ball hitting leather filled the outfield. As our coaches approached the throwing stopped and the field returned to silence, the buzz of anticipation in the air. Coach McGownd and our assistant Lori gave us a run-down of the practice plan, which included infield-outfield (IO), hitting drills, fielding drills and various base running drills. As he spoke, a few of the upperclassmen whispered back and forth amongst themselves. I caught bits and pieces of phrases like “come on it’s just the first day” and “how about no”. I stood drinking in every word and ignoring their muttered curses. I had never played softball and was determined to learn as much as I possibly could about the game. Coach McGownd asked us to go to a position we thought we might want to play. I ventured across the field and stood by first base. My parents and a few of my friends had told me that I would make a good first baseman so that seemed like the best choice to me. I had no clue how to actually play the position. My emotions ran amuck, ultimately stopping at optimistic.
The server on the other team once again threw the ball into the air. This time, my teammate sprawled for the ball, and made a perfect pass to me, allowing me to set the ball and have my co-captain smash it to the ground. I looked once again at the faces of my teammates. Things were different now. I knew at once that they knew what I knew. We were the winners of that game. We remembered that at that point, and were assured of it when the referee blew the final whistle after I served an ace on game point.
The zamboni finished, the ice was fresh and we were ready to rip it up. The game was back and forth with many penalties and many screaming parents. We were up in the second period and of course it seemed like time never moved. As the finals seconds were ticking down you could feel the energy in the arena incline. The buzzer finally rang out. We were provincial champions, my dream had come true. I raced at my team and they raced back. We met in the middle in a huge huddle, some already crying and some laughing and screaming. I stood there in shock as everyone hugged each other. I went of the season in my head, I went through all the past games, all the team that would be traveling home right now as they thought of how they could have done better, I thought about the team who had got silver, still a big accomplishment but they would be disappointed as well. Then I thought about my team and how every individual gave in their all out on that ice today. I thought about how proud I was to be a
I felt depleted, I thought that I had finally gotten the hang of my emotions on the court. In return she stated, “Mistakes will always happen, you can't ignore them, but you also can't get caught up in them. I know it is hard, but you have to learn because that is how you get better in sports if you want to continue playing.” This thought whirled around my head for the following months; if I wanted to really excel in volleyball I had to finally fix my attitude, for the better.
We didn 't play the way we wanted. Even though we struggled, we still did some things right. If we just focus on the things we did well like; boxing out, playing tough defense, and rebounding, we can work around those things and build up the things that needed to be worked on. I know that we can step up and play at a higher level. We just have to make some fundamental changes and work on some things in practice and I think that it will help in our next game. We can hold on to this loss for the night but when you come to practice tomorrow we aren 't going to hang on to this feeling we need to shake it off and start to prepare for our next game. We just need to use this game as an opportunity to see what we need to work on and build off of that. Once we improve what we need to, I think we can get to the level of success we want.”
was now 5-4 with me in the lead. One more game and I would be victorious. It was my serve now and we battled it out in
Our kicker went on to kick the extra point, as only one minute remained on the time clock. The Clark Cougars went on to beat the Williams Warriors. I could see it now on the front page of the town newspaper. "Clark demolishes Williams for the first time in 14 years!" We finally beat the best team in the world! As we celebrated, and jumped around on the soggy grass, a tear came to my eye. It was all hitting me now. I finally achieved the goal of my life! I could not control the tremendous smirk on my face. As I watched the coach from the opposing team cry in agony, I thought to myself, "That must be what they call the agony of defeat." I knew that the moment of my life I had long waited for, was gone. Only memories are left in my mind, and I cherish every single one of them.
There is a point in everyone’s life when they step back and realize “I can’t do this anymore, it’s ruining my life”. Many of my friends have started smoking cigarettes while drinking at a very young age, and continue to use this drug currently and don’t realize the affect it has on their future. While I have been smart enough to avoid smoking, I haven’t been as wise at making decisions when it comes to drinking. The amount of partying I’ve done in college has taken over my life, and has had a huge impact on my grades. Changing my drinking habits and continuing to avoid cigarettes will enable me to be the best I can be for the rest of my college experience.
Down two with six seconds to go fatigue had taken it tolls on the players. With little energy left; over time was not an option. I knew I had to go for the win. I walk on the floor confident of my ability that was until the whistle blew quickly turning my confident to butterflies. As I fought to get open I quickly saw the ball coming my way. As I rose for a jump shot time itself began to stay still. An in flesh everything became silent. As I watch the ball leave my hand I envisioned greatness; sure the ball was on its way in I started to celebrate that was until I hear the announcer say my teammate tip in miss shot to win us the game. Mix with emotion I celebrate with my teammate. “Ok guys, we have 24 hours until tip off. Get some rest because this is going to be the biggest game of your life. Let’s bring this championship back to Barton College. Go Bulldogs and Goodnight!” Why few players stay in the lobby to hang out I took it talk upon to work on my game and reflect on the semifinal game that just took place. At basketball games you will notice how there are all sorts of fans attending the game.
As I walked onto the volleyball court, I noticed people were screaming and cheering all around me. They were all around me, and yet they all sounded strangely distant. I was nervous. I was worried that we might lose, but worst of all, I was worried that I might end up letting my teammates down. Negative thoughts continued filled my head and I drew closer and closer to my position. Once again, I found myself asking whether or not I truly belonged on this team. Now, this certainly was not the first time I questioned my place on the team, but little did I know that it would be the last.
My confidence was crushed, as I watched my opponent curve serve go right beside me, and hit the white line. Suddenly, the score the crowd was quiet and the score was 5-5. My heart was beating really fast, while discouraging thoughts filled my mind. With two more points to play, I could see there’s a fifty percent chance of making it into the court.
I am by myself wearing my blue jeans and an old flannel shirt. It is cool outside but I decided to leave my gloves at home, feeling comfortable with my warm shirt and my sturdy boots.
It was a very stressful moment for our team since we have never been put in this situation before. We focused on what we needed to do and we all played to our best ability. It was tied at the last point and the winner needed to win by two points. After a very long and stressful two points we ended up winning. That was the best feeling I had playing volleyball.