As I nervously walked onto the volleyball court, I wondered if I was making the right decision. I had barely played volleyball before the experience and wasn’t even sure if I would like it. I only knew one other person and the basic rules of the game, but everything else was strange and unfamiliar. It was seventh grade and the spring recreational volleyball season had just started, and my best friend convinced me to sign up. For the entirety of our first practice, I only spoke to her and our coach, and I kept to myself.
Over time, I started to really enjoy practices, even branching out and talking to some of the other girls on the team. I started to form my own identity on the court as someone who takes chances for defense, a strong server, and someone who always calls the ball. I began donning nicknames that the other girls gave me with pride, interacting with them on and off the court.
Nearing the end of the season, the setter of my team asked why I joined the team at all. The truth is, I never really wanted to, I just thought that I had never tried it before and it could be fun. In that moment I realized that my experience with volleyball was a lot like life. Anything could be an invigorating, life-changing experience, but no one can know for sure until they try it and give it their all.
I still play volleyball to this day. I still text the girls that were on my team. Most importantly, I still believe that the only thing we can continue to do is try, because there’s no way to know how much joy something can bring otherwise.