Personal Narrative: The Switch Changed My Life

One of my largest life decisions was making the switch. The switch changed my life in multiple ways. It introduced me to several important people in my life including friends and coaches. The switch also gave me numerous opportunities I would not have had otherwise. The switch was not easy to adjust to at the time, but I will never regret it. It has become a major decision in my life and now is a significant part of my memories. The switch occurred in eighth grade when I transitioned from basketball to volleyball. I have been playing basketball since I could walk. It has been such a major element in my life. I played in every league I could and whenever I could. From playing in summer and winter leagues to just shooting some hoops in the driveway
I remember my middle school gym class teacher saying,” Today we are playing volleyball.” Hudson 2 I, never thinking I would play and love the sport, replied,” Ugh, not today.” Starting volleyball I was timid and nervous on the grounds that I was not the better of the players in the previous sport I participated in. My self¬confidence was not at its highest due to basketball. I will never forget my first year of volleyball in eighth grade. I started playing volleyball with a club season. It started with some nerve¬wracking open gyms and tryouts. The first team I played for did not have much competition, consequently establishing me as one of the most athletic players on the team during the first time being on a volleyball court. If you showed up to the open gyms and tryouts you made the team. At this time I had gained much self¬confidence and felt more comfortable playing volleyball than before. Then came along some tournaments and matches. As soon as I got to my first match I figured out that I did not have as much skill as some of the other players on the other teams. Thus knowing that our team is not exceedingly skilled, my confidence went down once
Sweat was running down my side as the coach kept calling names. Before I knew it I heard,” Ozzy.” I walked into the hallway and coach says to me,” After lots of thought and spectating I decided that you will be on the varsity team.” A smile arose on my face as my nerves were no more. At this point I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I responded,” Thank you coach. I appreciate you taking me.” Hudson 4 I have been playing club and school volleyball ever since. Each year I play, I gain more and more self-confidence which allows me to mature. Volleyball molded me into the person I am today. I learned many skills and tips in volleyball as well as life itself from being part of a second place district champion team to being team captain two years in a row. The nervousness and tenderness of being that rookie freshman had faded. I am now the leader that I would not have thought I would have been. The sport taught me what it’s like to achieve something much greater than the original goals I set for myself. Volleyball will forever be a part of me. Making the switch turned my world around and brightened my