My 2018 - This is my Hobby: Bouncing back with Volleyball

Sports was just a concept, a theory I learned based on textbooks and the Physical Education class or as the Sports Writer in our school publication. I was just an onlooker during school intramurals in my elementary and highschool, watching from afar how could these students be more efficient in that particular sport they're into. When I was in my third year in highschool, I joined a sports competition as a school representative in the Chess tournament in our district and sadly, I was defeated on my second game and got eliminated. I enjoyed that short-lived experience of being part of the School team, but where's the sweat on it? In my last year in highschool, I was invited with my friends to join the softball team and compete during the Provincial Meet without having a solid foundation and the skill to play the game. I was there playing only because the team lacked players to participate during the competition. Still, I enjoyed that moment being with a team and the fun of it.

Then there comes college. Being an introvert in a university amounts a lot of effort for me to survive the day with strangers. I spent my first year in college with just a few, specific people I can call my friends. Yes, I know, I am an awkward person with awkward friends where silence is our common denominator but that was before. The fun and excitement began on my second year in college. That's when I found my passion, playing Volleyball. Did it took so long for me to say about my hobby? Well, I just want to write a storyline to make more emphasis of how volleyball has changed me in many ways.

I was invited to join the institute varsity by a classmate I just knew on my chemistry class. She told me we could have an allowance if we'll get accepted in the varsity. That interested me and without further thoughts, I joined the varsity try-out. Trying to play a game with just the mere knowledge about it and not physically fit to play made it hard for me as I participated in the try-outs. I looked ridiculous trying to catch the ball and control it. I was such a noob. But then, again, because of the lacked of players to make a team that time, I was accepted in the institute varsity. Yey! I can still remember the feeling when I got my first jersey uniform with my surname and the number 16 on it.I know I was just a patched-up for the lack of players but it made me happy. That started my career in volleyball as a player every Palakasan (university intramurals). I was not the best player. I was just a substitute during the games and a ball-keeper and water-bearer during practices. But that's not the point of it, just a part of the idea.

Volleyball brew me a new character. While spending my time playing volleyball, I began to learn how to talk to people, to initiate a conversation, to interact with new faces and become more of a warm person. I gained new friends. I've known more people. In all the eight colleges in our university, I would know a person or two in every college because I met them at the court. I would meet them on the road and wave hello to them. With volleyball, I learn to create a good rapport to some people, especially those whom I've just met.

Volleyball gave me more understanding and a more open mind to people who have their own sexual preferences. I am not homophobic, but I still don't understand the deeper meaning of why these people chose to be more of themselves even when it concerns their sexuality. I would spend my afternoons for the whole school year playing with gay people and it was amazing. I saw that beyond their doubts and anxieties with other people's judgements, they proved that they can do better than what people say about them.

Playing volleyball did not only taught me good lessons but I also learned to do some mischievous actions. I would skip the class when I know it would be a boring lecture and go to the court and play my heart out with my friends. Don't worry, it did not do any harm on my grades because I only did it twice. I also experienced playing under the rain and regretted the day after after getting a cold from soaking in my wet clothes. I sprained both of my ankles many times during practices and tournaments but it never stopped me to play back again. My mother doesn't know anything about all these mischievousness and it will remain a secret to her.

Volleyball taught me to be more appreciative and give compliments. Even when I am just a beginner, the team never fails to compliment me with every improvement that I have gained during practices and games. Being disciplined and get reprimanded during practices is inevitable but it's one of your driving force to be more determined to do your game. It's your push to move forward or get up whenever you fell on your wrong foot and step back again even when you're limping.

Lastly, volleyball showed me the sense of fulfillment. There is a big difference when you are with people who truly understands your happiness and contentment even when your body have become sore from exhaustion during night practices. When the team wins, the feeling is very overwhelming. When the team losses, you can't deny the sense of sadness but that didn't stopped us to be more determined to do better on the next game. The team's motivating actions always carry us back on the court. I am truly happy with the people around me inside the court as we go and play and that feeling is very satisfying.

I can always write good things about volleyball. I can always tell new and exciting stories about it too. Then again, words are not enough to express the happiness that reverberates in your heart. The experiences and memories are the gifts you can always carry as you clean up and pack your bags to go home and rest.

I don't know much about volleyball in the bigger way. What I mean is I don't know much about some volleyball superstars playing on some big leagues. I only know few local volleyball geniuses and be overwhelmed by them. What I always know, from 6th grade, is that William C. Morgan invented volleyball on 1895 and that, I think, led me to experience the game and the rest is history.