I Tried Out For Volleyball...

I started high school this past September. Now just five days later at this new school with all new people I had my first day of volleyball tryout. 

I was told the best way to meet people was to play a fall sport. So I did. I signed up for volleyball. I went back and forth with my decision for a while but ultimately I decided to try it. I really wanted to meet people anyway I could and with Covid there aren’t many options. It helped that my school has a freshman team in most sports, so you can try something new. I have no concrete answer for why I tried out volleyball, other than I just thought I would like it. 

The first day of tryouts was a conditioning day so no actual volleyball playing. It went pretty good. There wasn't much to be bad at or stressed about because it was just a workout and nothing I haven’t done before. 

But then day two came. This was a freshman and jv tryout. That means there were girls who have played before and some who have not. I have never tried out for a sport before so I didn't really know what to expect. What I thought would happen is that the people who've never played before would be shown the basics. Instead they had us start playing right away, all together. 

There were the four coaches there, a club team coach, and the three varsity captains. It was intimidating. Once we started playing I missed every ball. I had no idea what I was doing. We did one drill where we were supposed to go to the position we hope to play if we make the team. But, I had no idea what the positions were. I just went where most people were going hoping I could learn by watching them. The only way I could describe the tryout was overwhelming. I left wondering if I could've done better if I had just been able to figure it out.  he next day would be exactly the same.

Before day three I was much less anxious because I knew what to expect. I still didn’t know how to play but I was more comfortable now that I knew what I was walking into. The night before day two I even watched a couple tutorials so I could be just that much more prepared. 

But once we started I still couldn't play. I got more anxious and began to psych myself out. I don't really know why I thought I would be better overnight but I did. Day three was just as bad as day two.

I left really upset with myself, not because I did bad but because I got so into my head and psyched myself out. I normally have a pretty good mindset and I wasn't upset at all after day two. Honestly I found it funny. But day three was different. It could be because I realized I actually really wanted to make the team. I told myself that I knew what to expect and shouldn’t have been overwhelmed, or anxious. But I was, actually more so than day two. Looking back it was only my second hour ever playing volleyball. It wasn't really likely I would have improved, yet I was upset I hadn’t. 

The night of three I sat down to start writing this post and reflected. I was upset with myself but then I realized I tried something new in a totally foreign place. I really made an effort and that I should at least be happy with myself for trying. 

On the last day of the tryouts there definitely wasn't as serious of a vibe. The teams were pretty much all finalized anyway so I wasn't stressed. I pretty much knew I had been cut but I was okay with it. I walked in and had gained no skills from the day before. But I had a better mindset. I came to terms with the fact I wasn't going to be amazing but that I could still be as good as I knew how. One of the coaches told us to control what we can control and that's what I really focused on. I can't control the fact I've never played before but I can try to learn and watch the coach and other players. 

We started playing for the last time and I was still intimidated but not as much as the other days. I even hit one over the net!

And then came the cuts. We had to go one by one into an office where the jv and the freshman coach were waiting to tell us if we had made it or not. And then we had to go back through the gym where everyone was waiting and asking you if you made the team. I was anxious but I don't really think it was because I would be cut. It was more of worrying about what I’d say to all the girls who I was still trying to make a first impression with. I had just started school with these people and didn’t want to seem like I couldn't do something.  

And then I found out I made the freshman volleyball team! I was honestly so surprised and could not believe it, but I did!

Making the team definitely made writing this post easier. But I promised myself I would write this post no matter what the outcome was. Actually I promised my sister because she told me I should. But I am glad she did. Because on this blog I want to write about the good, fun stuff that happens in my life, but also about new things I get to experience and want to share. Maybe you can’t relate to this because you aren’t trying out for a sport but I feel the same way walking into a new place or meeting new people. I pretty much feel some wave of this everytime I try something new. 

The tryout wasn't what I expected but I did it. And if I were to give any advice to myself looking back I would tell myself not to overthink everything so much. Easier said than done, I know. But really, day two when I was so stressed and nervous compared to day four when I was less overwhelmed and a little confident, there was a major difference. I actually saw myself do better. 

I met new people, had an experience I have never had before, and forced myself to go out of my comfort zone. If you find yourself in someway feeling like this, do your absolute best. Because if you don't you’ll be upset with yourself. I was so upset after day three because I felt I could've done better but after day four when I did everything in my power to try I couldn’t help but feel I accomplished something, whether I made the team or not. And I was proud of myself.