When I was a 7th grader at Mattoon Middle School, I wanted to follow my brother in sports. I saw that there was volleyball tryouts and I went and made it, I was ecstatic. I joined a Club team called Club 217 during covid season, since we did not travel and it was just lessons I skipped out on most practices. During summer we had open gyms for the High School and I did not go to those either, when tryouts came around it hit me hard to the point to where I did not make the team for my sophomore year. After that day, I knew I had to change my ways. I practiced every day and also did lessons with Ashley Bartley and Laney Jackson, I did open gyms with no coach and Christina Stortzum, I worked so hard to get what I wanted. When open gyms came around I was ready for them, I did very well. Then tryouts came around, and I made it. I am still proud of myself, because I still work just as hard to this day. I now do lessons with Laney Jackson, Averie Smith, and I hope to see Ashley Bartley again. This is now my senior year, I have worked so hard for this season. I am working hard still to improve as a middle. I have even been working on setting and passing recently to see which position I am best in! Moral of my story is, in sports, you do not get anything handed to you. You have to work hard for it, then you will get the reward of being a fabulous player, in the end. Never give up.