During Thanksgiving break, 6 months ago, I decided to go to an open-play volleyball session for the first time. I really enjoyed and it was a great learning experience. Although, almost everyone there was 2+ years older than me, they were all super nice. Because this past fall volleyball season was my first time playing on a team after practicing by myself outside my house for a little over a year, I didn’t know most of the setting terms, how to properly hit, and how to block. (I think part of the reason I can’t block is because although I’m decently tall for my age, I can’t jump high for the life of me) 😐 Although my serving, digging, and setting is great there was still a lot for me to learn. Present time, I’ve gotten slightly better at all of them.

Before my first season, I had never played on a court while over-hand serving before so when I was practicing at home, I would have to hit it hard and far to the roof because I didn’t know the dimensions of a volleyball court. During my first volleyball practice, my coach told me that there was always one player who would always have to take a step back a little to serve at full-speed and still make it in the court. And she said that player was me. Now, I back up quite a bit, step up then make contact with the ball. I’ve been told to hit it harder and lower to score more aces. First, my father mentioned it, then my school team and club team coach. I know I tried but it never really stuck until this past Tuesday. During the open-play session, I started hitting it hard and lower allowing me to get multiple aces in a row. Then, everyone on the opposing team was like, “Get ready. It’s gonna go deep.” Which for some reason, them saying that made me feel proud of myself. ❤

A few things I need to work on is jumping higher, hitting, and jump serves. I can score points with my jumps serves but I lose a lot of power when I jump so they end up landing somewhere near the front of the court.

Thanks for reading!