Personal Narrative: My First Varsity Volleyball Team

Like any JV volleyball player would be, I was excited about being put onto the varsity volleyball team my junior year of high school. Having played volleyball all throughout high school I was more than ready to play at a higher skill level and with a whole new team with the exception of two players who were also on the JV team with me. Determined to get playing time I went to practice everyday, tried to learn new techniques and steps, tried to perfect everything I did. Trying to be the best I could possibly be, and to show the coaches that I was ready for the fast pace the varsity team played at.
It was our first preseason game and I was super nervous, but my teammates helped me get through the jitteriness.The game was starting and I would

only play back row and my position as a setter would start out in the front row therefore, the starting setter who was a senior and was 5’5 so I would be her substitute when she would make her way to the back row. Everyone did great as a team and we eventually won after winning 3 out of 5 games. After that game we had 3 more preseason games til the actual season started. Everyone was played throughout all the preseason games and enjoyed every second of playing.
Season had came in a blink of an eye and we were all excited, and the first game we played was our rival. And as anyone did I hated that team and just wanted to get the win against them. Patiently sitting on the bench just waiting to get put in the game, I was cheering my teammates on and doing cheers with the other girls sitting on the bench, like a good teammate should. I was lost in the game and had realized it was game 5 of 5 and this match depended on if we won or lost the game and I was still sitting in the same spot on the bench. I immediately thought I wasn't put in the game because the coach wanted to try out new people at new positions and wanted to play the seniors first. The next game I was pretty pumped and was just hoping to get at least a little playing time on the court and again was benched the whole entire game, but the whole time I would just make excuses up and just forgive the coach. But then it happened again. And again…. and again. Each time I would get a little more hurt about not being put in and even thought about just quitting the team altogether. But then the next game I was a starting player and was relieved to actually play against another team. But every game after that I was basically benched the whole time until the last match.
Eventually season had ended and I was heartbroken, because over the years I had grown to love the sport and had made it a priority.

And not being played as much I wanted was the worst thing ever. From then on I was determined to be a starting player my senior year and did everything I could to be better at my position on the court. Finally the day had come for tryouts to start and there was 2 other girls trying out for the same position I was trying out for. One of the girls had been the starting setter and an all around player for the JV team the past year and I was a bit intimidated by her and the other girl was just starting out the position so I wasn't that worried about her. A few days later we had a scrimmage and the coach told me she saw a huge improvement in my skills and I was pleased to hear her say that because I worked my butt off to be better. It was the beginning of the season and the first few games I was a starting player and was overwhelmed by the pace the other teams were playing at because I didn't play as much as they probably have but eventually got used to the change. All of a sudden the coach switched things up and the former JV setter was the starting setter and I was a bit angry. But for the rest of the season I was the starting setter and also was made captain of the Varsity team and got server of the year in our district that

year.
Although I didn't get played much at all, I did in fact play every single game my senior year and that just made me realize that in order to get what you want you have to just keep at it and just be patient and never give up. What I have taken from this whole experience is that patience is the key because when the right time comes youll find out that it was worth the wait.