By Joanne Su Chan
Editor-in-Chief
When working towards a goal, I dive into the ideas that surround me, committing my free time and late nights to perfect my product. I lose track of time, fueled by my desire to create my best work, however, when I am met with doubt or discouragement, uncertainty clouds my mind, leading me to lose my high spirits and determination. I stop working, left searching for the spark that once drove me.
I felt spirited my junior year girl’s volleyball season, filled with eagerness and excitement. I entered practice intending to improve and every game with passion to play for myself and my teammates. As a group, we all supported and encouraged one another to play our best and to fight for every point, but it was with the additional guidance of our coach that I felt that my skills were sufficient. Each practice strengthened our gameplay and also stimulated us to hone a headstrong mentality. Ultimately, our payoff was winning a championship together.
Entering my senior season, things changed. New teammates and a new coach created a new dynamic. While I approached the season with an open mindset, it was difficult to adapt and learn without positive reinforcement from my coach, who focused more on the statistics and errors. Attending practice felt like a requirement more than an activity I once looked forward to, and the possibility of winning a game did not stand as a viable option due to the regression caused by our coach’s inability to aid us in improving. After each game, I wrestled with frustration, contemplating quitting
Yet, I played on. I played for my teammates—those whose laughter and smiles made practices bearable. I played for my friends, the ones I started volleyball with and, in this final season, ended with. Though my original spark faded, I discovered a new way to remain spirited–grounding myself in the relationships I’ve built and the memories shared.
Now, as my volleyball journey comes to an end, I carry forward. I’ll seek out new motivations, some destined to last, others likely to dim. But I know the journey, with its highs and lows, continues.