This past week has been one of the most stressful times of my highschool years. That is saying a lot, I know. In five years, I probably will not even remember this week. Right now though, I’ve definitely aged because of it.
I just went through the last volleyball tryout of my highschool career. Every year we have a 2-3 day tryout where we go through challenges both on the track and in the gym to show our endurance, speed, mental/psychical toughness, etc. The first day is normally the day I dread the most because it is out on the track running the timed mile and sprints, and with psychically induced asthma since I was 2 years old, running and I do not mix very well.
So, my teammates and I had just finished the running portion of the day one tryouts and and underclassmen reminded us seniors of the finality of the day. She say, “this was your last ever running tryout day!”. For all of 15 seconds, me and the rest of the seniors were excited. We won’t have to run that timed mile ever again! But on that 16th second, we realized something so sad: our highschool volleyball career was coming to an end.
For some of the girls on the team, their skills will carry them on to higher levels of the sport, but for the majority of us, this will be our last year.
That realization made my heart sink into my stomach.
I had made so many lasting friendships through the four years on this team. I went through social struggles, heartbreaks, victories and losses, and most importantly, life, with these girls. How was I going to lose the sport and friends that I love the most all in one year?
The car ride home was silent.
The two days after were also tryout days as well, and we were all told that we had made the 2020 Varsity Volleyball Team. I had finished my last tryout for volleyball that I would ever go through, probably.
This week, my last season of high school volleyball starts, and I will eventually have my last game. I was sad for a few days, and will be sad for a while longer. But I have made another realization. Because this will be my last year, I will be able to go a four year university next year. I will create new friendships, and maybe even join a part-time club team. Even though I will accomplish more, I will still be able to maintain the bonds and athleticism that I have obtained throughout high school if I put in the effort to do so.
I have something to remember: my journey is not over, it is just beginning.
Easy Does It Emily 