One of the most transformative experiences of my high school life was when I joined the junior varsity volleyball team in 2023 for the first time. I remember being very excited and nervous as I joined the Oakwood volleyball team. As I stepped on the court I was greeted with a warm welcome and was introduced to the team. As long as I can remember I have always been fascinated by the sport but being on the volleyball team introduced me to a new level of competition, comradery, and personal growth. 2023 was when I played volleyball with two seniors Abril Insaurralde and Haley Weathington. We had a great season together and I had so much fun playing volleyball with both of them. They taught me many tips and tricks that I still use today. But 2024 girls’ Volleyball was just as fun as 2023. I was out for most of the open gym but as soon as I came back from India I joined the team. It was so fun to be back with the team and finally play volleyball again.
The first Game of the season was filled with excitement and adrenaline. As I stepped back onto the volleyball court with my teammates I was reminded of 2023 when I did so for the first time with the Oakwood team. I saw many faces both old and new, saw many old friends, and made many new friends. My first game with the Volleyball team after coming back ended with a victory. During the game, we as a team did make mistakes but we quickly recovered and scored point after point. I got perhaps my first good in-game spike. Our captain Kady Harris despite having a shoulder injury continued to play as the middle back and helped lead the team in strategies and plays. I was rusty so Kady also helped me get back in my positions(Thank you, Kady).
Throughout the season Volleyball extended beyond the court. The Oakwood girl’s volleyball team was like a tight-knit family. We celebrated our victories and supported each other during our failures. There were moments when we bonded over brutal Friday practices and pushed each other out of our comfort zones to become the best we could be. Together we learned dedication, resilience, and self-confidence.
As the season progressed, I noticed the team’s skills also improving. Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. We as a team grew immensely. We learned how to take wins and losses no matter how hard it was to lose we did not give up hope. There are many memories that I have etched into my mind from this year’s Volleyball season. Thrilling saves, amazing aces, and of course many laughs.
The Final game of the girls’ volleyball team in 2024 brought a mix of emotions along with it. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and the stands with cheering fans. Despite our best efforts, we fell short of victory. As the group huddled together with tears our coaches encouraged us to look at how far we came and how much we learned. As I look back at the season I am grateful to the team for allowing me to play my dream sport and to have the best time I could ask for. I learned many things from my coaches, my teammates, and our opponents. The 2024 Volleyball season ended but its impacts have lingered on after months of playing. Volleyball has become part of my identity- a sport that not only made me athletic but also taught me resilience and the power of working together to achieve one goal. I would like to say thank you to my volleyball team and coaches Jamaika Knockett and Zion Hardy for an amazing season!
**[Kanishka Dhaliwal]**
**[1/9/2025]**
