Tonight is the last time I lace up
my court shoes and put on a Tulane Volleyball jersey. I may be putting on
nikes, but I’ll be remembering the little girl who laced up her adidas to go to
her very first middle school tryout. I’ll remember the little girl who begged
for the new mizuno shoes when club season came around. For the last 10 years,
my memories have revolved around volleyball. The game has given and taken away
so many opportunities, it would be wrong to say that it hasn’t been one of the
most influential parts of my life. It has given me more friends and mentors
than I could possibly count, and it has taken me across the country and back
dozens of times in a single year. I don’t think I could ever give back to the
sport as much as it has given me, but I would like to try and simply thank it
for all that it gave me.
Volleyball gave me life-long friendships (aka bridesmaids). It’s inevitable that the ones you spend
the most time with are those who you become closest with. But when those people
are who you play a sport with, the bond becomes that much stronger. Who can
help but bond to the only 10 people you know in a convention center filled with
thousands of screaming teenagers, or when you’re crying on the bus ride back to
your high school from your last playoff game singing your alma mater. Who
could help but bond with the girls you wake up with at 5:15 every other day to
go lift weights with after flying through 3 different time zones the weekend
before. Volleyball has given me more memories than I could ask for with these
crazy girls, and frankly more than I would like, and for that I can never repay
the sport. I know they will continue to be in my life long after we all trade
our jerseys in for our kid’s jerseys, and for that I am so grateful.
Volleyball taught me sacrifice. I could sit here and tell you all
the opportunities volleyball has given me, but I would be lying if I say it
didn’t take a lot of opportunities away as well. I’ve learned to redefine what
“Spring Break” and “Thanksgiving” mean. They simply mean I get to travel and
play volleyball without worrying about missing school. I’ve learned that not
everyone can go to Junior annnnd Senior prom, and you may not get to go out on
your 21st birthday because of the 6 am workouts you have the next
morning. With all the sacrifices I’ve made, they have been worth it, because
nothing worth loving comes without sacrifices.
Volleyball gave me great Mentors. I’ve been blessed with so many
great coaches along the way and they have taught me more about the sport and
about myself than I would ever imagine. They have helped me through tough times
on and off the court, and many have helped me figure out what to do after my
time is up in college. They have been great role models not only on the court
but how they live their lives off the court with their families and friends,
and I’m so grateful to have been surrounded by that growing up when the
athletics world can be so shallow and vain. God has truly shown me how to
glorify him through sports by the mentors he has given me along my journey and I
can’t thank Him enough for that.
Volleyball will still continue to give me opportunities long after I stop
playing. Thank goodness God has given me the heart for coaching, because I don’t
know if I could bare saying goodbye to the sport altogether. I have learned from
coaching this past summer that it will be hard to transition from player to
coach, but I know this sport isn’t done teaching me lessons. I will never
forget the memories I’ve made with my teammates these past 10 years. I get
emotional just thinking about the ups and downs along the way. Sports truly
change your life. They are mysterious in how they do, but they change your life
one day at a time. I can’t say that I will truly miss going from the weight
room to the class room to the gym, but I can say I will miss the moments in
between with my teammates.
Thank you volleyball, for
everything you have given me. You have helped shape me into the woman I am
today, and I can’t thank you enough for that. It was fun while it lasted.
