I have always considered myself a "positive Polly" so all this negativity here recently has tried to drain my positiveness. Nothing makes me happier than achieving a dream. I got the opportunity last October to capture a dream with my best friend. I got to coach my old high school volleyball team's AAU program. I love volleyball and have loved volleyball ever since I started playing in middle school until it got ripped away from me in college. I have always thought I would be a better coach than player because of the way I saw the game unfold. I never knew how fulfilling coaching would actually be.
I coached two teams this season and made real connections with a group of teenagers. I know what your thinking, teenagers? but their so...unrefined? Well no, they aren't. At least the ones I coached aren't. They were the most mature bunch of girls I have ever met to be honest. Battle tested, parent approved! They weren't your typical "I don't care about anything but myself" teenagers. They actually cared about each other and even more about their sport. It reminded me of how my old high school team acted. (refer to previous blogs to see how amazing my high school team was) I would say the word that would best describe these girls would be Determined. They all wanted to perfect their craft, constantly picking our brains on how we would have done it, how should they tweak what they were currently doing, and how to win and win at a consistent level. I have never seen a more driven team.
We didn't win every game this season, we didn't have to. They won within themselves. They all accomplished things that, coming into this season they probably didn't believe they would. If I had to give out awards at the end of the season they would have all gotten "most improved". We had some great wins and some painful losses. We made sure that after every game they knew their abilities didn't go unnoticed. As long as they played with 100% heart and determination that was all we could ask for. They did, they played every single game like it was their last. I never knew how proud I would be of a group of teenagers.
I'd be lying to you if I said these girls didn't change my life. They did, they absolutely did. Up until I started coaching them I wanted nothing to do with volleyball. I had a horrible experience in college while playing for my collegiate team. That incident made me HATE volleyball, it destroyed my confidence and took away my drive. It was a player/coach "misunderstanding" as my coach would have put it. I consider it a life altering moment, and not the good kind. I ended up quitting because of it. The day I quit I told myself that's it, no more, no more playing, and no to coaching. After I graduated from college my mom was trying to help me figure out what to do with my life. She asked me why I didn't coach within my old AAU organization. I told her no way no how. I just knew it would bring back bad memories. After a few years of her asking me I finally gave in and coached. I am so glad I did. These girls brought a dream I had given up on back to life. They gave me something that I was completely sure that I didn't want anymore. They brought back my passion for volleyball. They inspired me. They still inspire me. They will always inspire me.
To my girls, Thank you, You all are amazing and I hope you all inspire others the way you inspired me. I can't wait to coach you all again this year!
To my best friend/asst/head coach, Jess, Thank you for pushing me just as hard as the girls did. I couldn't have done it without you. Your support and effort was super amazeballs!
No comments:
Post a Comment