As 8th grade started, I picked up a new sport just for the fun of it which happened to be volleyball. Like every beginner, I had to learn how to play the sport correctly. Then it hit me. Volleyball happens to be somewhat like life. With all of the ups and downs of a volleyball player, it’ll only help you as an athlete. You’ll make mistakes throughout your journey to becoming a better player.

Hitting is one of three important aspects of volleyball. It requires your entire focus and power onto the ball in order to successfully get a “kill” on the other team. Now, this is a practiced skill that takes time to master. In life, you start to learn to stay truly “focused” on your goal without distractions and “power” through all the hardships that come towards you. Just like volleyball, determination to be better is what will thrive you to better yourself.

Setting, my personal favorite out of the three aspects, is as difficult as walking with your eyes closed along with the accuracy needed to make a good set. The spatial awareness needed for this position helps with real life situations physically and mentally. Some examples would be like noticing bullying or simply just a friend that is feeling down. Depending on how “accurate” you can read the situations around you and be aware of your surroundings can help “set” you or others in a position of comfortability. 

Receiving a ball is like preparing for something unexpected. There are mainly 2 different types of serves in Volleyball which are the float serves and top spins. The reason why these two are so important is because they throw off the other team. Float serves have a knuckleball like motion. Therefore, you have to prepare for the shaking motion of the ball. This correlates to unexpected events that may occur in your life that you must adjust to. As for the top spin, it is fast and powerful. I would say these are like strong emotions that may well up inside of you at any point in time. Controlling the ball and controlling your emotions are alike as they both require your mind and physical strength.

In the end, volleyball is something I use as a reminder of how to handle life situations or just an escape from reality itself. Being able to play with my friends really helps me as an athlete and person. Throughout my high school year, I hope to further my skills in volleyball which will then further my skills in life.