Notes

A setback that was later used as a learning experience, I would say would be in eighth grade, when, after playing volleyball in the middle school for two years, I learned that there was no high school team or club, and club costs were just too expensive. While this setback wasn't all that bad, to me, it was impactful. I still wanted to learn and excel at volleyball, as it mattered a great deal to me, but I didn't have the resources of a coach, teammates, or even courts to practice on. I then took matters into my own hands and practiced every day after school in my backyard, using my chimney to bounce the ball off of and instructional Youtube videos to enhance my skills. I then learned how to send powerful overhand serves over the net (ones that most of my teammates are afraid of receiving today), I learned how to effectively set the ball, and many other skills that I'm proud to say turned me into the volleyball player I am today. While it was heartbreaking to not be able to continue playing the sport I loved competitively, I took matters into my own hands and diligently worked to improve my skills at home, on my own.