There’s a familiar rhythm to every soccer field, the thud of a ball against cleats, the echoing cheers from the sidelines, the referee’s whistle slicing through the air.
This rhythm is something I grew up with since I was 4 years old. It was an anthem, maybe a soundtrack to me that I grew up to. Something that usually brought energy and excitement to my day.
One day this comfortable background noise became a backdrop to something unexpected.
Patella tendinitis.
This was the diagnosis, the disappointing news I received from the physical therapist. It caused inflammation in my knee, specifically the patella tendon. This was the cause for the pain in my knee.
I was presented with two options agreed upon by my parents and the doctors. Quit soccer and recover, or I could decide to continue playing soccer but at a lower level. I knew I couldn’t just sit aside while others got to do what I loved most.
The decision was made to play on a recreational team with some of my friends. This option allowed me to have more breaks from the intense training of competitive soccer, while still being able to enjoy the game.
I loved the opportunity to continue playing soccer, but something just felt out of place. The end of season grind to reach that promotion zone or fighting to avoid relegation, just to get a step closer to the top, was missing.
Then, I was introduced to volleyball. A friend who decided to switch to playing volleyball introduced me to the sport. I spent time over that summer getting touches in. Rep after rep, pass after pass.
And then came the tryouts. Now I was no stranger to tryout processes, I had been to nearly a dozen soccer tryouts, but this was different. The fast pace of volleyball was shocking.
I pushed myself as hard as I could, and I did my best to show the coaches that I was there to learn how to be the best player I can.
“We thought he would be a great fit with the rest of the boys on the team.”
Later that night, I was told that I made the team and that they noticed how hard I worked and they saw the potential.
Being the only new volleyball player, I felt a bit out of place, but I soon found a rhythm and friends on the team.
Now going through my second club volleyball season, I have learned many things, both in volleyball and in life. You might never know how you really feel about something until you try it, so maybe flip some disappointing news and see how you can make it into a new opportunity.
