Personal+Essay

significant life moment essay: My lesson

When I think back things that have really influenced me in the past, I look back at volleyball as a major part of my life. It’s taught me more than endurance, Skills and Athleticism. I have been playing it since I was 7 years old and love it now as much as I did when I passed me first ball over the net. Volleyball also taught me sportsmen ship and how it plays a big role on and off the court.

“Well that was disappointing.” My mother said as she slammed the car door. I looked up with shock and anger on my face. “What was that Hailey?” She said before I could reply. “That wasn’t my fault! I can’t play for everyone!” Then she looked back at me, now with anger on her face. “That’s not what I’m talking about.” She sighed and started the car then continued to drive away from the rec center. I huffed; I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I looked out the window and began to think. I had been so excited for this clinic, a chance to play volleyball over the summer and train with the much sought after “Jason Seaford “who was running the camp. He was the head coach of the club Beach Elite and he used these clinics to look for future players for his highly regarded teams. Girls from my travel team had been anticipating this training camp for weeks. It had made me all the more excited to play with my team while learning new skills.

As I was contemplating this, my mother finally broke the silence and asked “Do you think you did well out there?” “I thought I did fine when I touched the ball “I snapped back. “See right there, you attitude is what’s disappointing” I looked at her. “wouldn’t you be mad?” I replied “He put me on a team with no travel players, they could pass anything!” I said frustrated. “I looked stupid out there, like I didn’t know what I was doing. They could even pass it to me so I could set. Why did he put me on a team like that?” I huffed “He probably doesn't consider me a real player.” I said quietly. I put my head down and stared at the floor. “I don’t think that’s why.” my mother said sounded sympathetic. “Did you ever consider that he put you on the team to see if you could be a leader?” I thought about that for a second. I am a setter, one of the most important positions in volleyball. They have to control the court and call the shots by setting a hitter in a certain play fast or slow depending on their approach. Most the time they’re the best player on the court and yes they are the leader. “You think he was looking at me for that?” I asked. “Yes. “ She said simply.” He might have wanted to see how you would work with less experienced players.” “Oh. Is all I could say. “But you didn’t encourage them, you tried your best out there but I could see you were getting frustrated and I bet the coach could too.” She said. “Great, he thinks I’m not a team player.” I said disappointed in myself.

I looked out the window again, watching as trees passed. I remembered when I first started playing and learning, I needed encouragement then too. I realized that I had learned by doing and that what those girls were doing, all they wanted to do was play like I did. “Just try to encourage them next time, ok? Show everyone that you can be the leader.” I looked up at her and smiled “You think I can be?” I asked. “I know” she said and smiled back.

This has been something that has affected me with for a long time and with almost everything. I had learned to encourage and not to get frustrated, everyone try’s their best. It reminds that no one messes up on purpose and at some point you were in their shoes too. This taught me how to believe in myself and know what I can do. Strength is something you choose and if you put effort in, you can be a leader on and off the court.

By Hailey Frye