Personal Narrative: The JV Volleyball Team

As I was excitedly waiting outside the gym doors, thinking of how I admired the upperclassmen, I felt my stomach fill with a bucket full of rocks then rush to my feet like the speed of a waterfall. At first I thought it was only nerves from excitement, but then I learned it was instinct. I was in line to hear my acceptance for the JV volleyball team, awaiting my twin sister who was being told her fate, when I was called in. I sat down, and the first thing they said was “We had to make a tough decision. We just cut your sister” and instantly I felt like puking. The coaches understood if I left, but they also really wanted me on the team. They let me choose my destiny. I chose to accept, a decision that would bend our relationship backwards and forwards in a hundred different ways.
The rush of the waterfall kept coming back for about a week when I went to daily practice. The lack of communication, jealousy, compassion, and understanding between Sydney and me was completely foreign. Our world was turned upside down as if each of us on opposite ends. On Monday of that week we were the best of friends, but on Thursday we were complete strangers. The only thing we

I learned the importance of individuality within a sport and to rely more on my teammates. I had to communicate with my team instead of my “twin telepathy”. I pushed myself physically as well as mentally for my performance, but also for Sydney. The least she could do was be my biggest critic and cheer me on the most. My independence that I gained from this experience has shown through my determination. I am able to make quicker decisions and be more confident in my choices which has lead me to take the lead in group projects. Independence has never been a strength of ours, but because we we’re torn between two fates, I had to compromise, accept, and become an