One Moment

”Here!” my teammate called. The setter set a perfect arc toward our hitter, their combo scoring a point that began changing the course of the game.

One after another service ace, and soon it seemed as though there was no longer any hope for the apposing team. That is, until our server served straight into the net, but by then, we still had a massive lead of 20 to 14.

Now, it was the other team’s turn to serve. Theor server hit the ball fast, low, and was the definition of a perfect serve. Unfortunately, it was headed right toward me. Steadying myself, I prepare to receive it. And it promptly flew straight past my shoulder, barely missing my head. It was a float serve, evading me as it drifted in the air.

”You got the next one”, my teammate said, patting me on the back. Yet their creased eyebrows told me the truth.

Nodding, I attempt to shake the experience off. Except, I couldn’t. One serve after another were aimed at me, and I was helpless. Then I heard and saw something that made me cold.

The referee blew the whistle, signaling a player change. Switching me out. Barely hiding my frustration, I swap places and sit on the bench with tears threatening to flow. Forcing myself to watch the game, I reminded myself, there’s still hope.

Right?

Looking at the scoreboard, my heart plummeted. The score was now 20 to 22. Cheering from the sidelines, I done my best to motivate the team while hiding my anger at myself. “I should have been able to get that ball. Why couldn’t I?” “Why am I so useless to the team?”. These were all questions I asked myself, questions that haunted me days after.

And when we lost, my coach‘s relationship was never the same with me again. Every time I made a mistake, even on a good day, I would get swapped out.

So, my best advice to you is, relax and enjoy the game. Even in a seemingly simple situation, don’t ease up too soon. Do your best to stay focused.

This story was inspired by something that happened to me.