There has been one thing in my life that has always remained constant other than Jesus. It’s the reason for not being able to hang out with friends, for countless hours in the gym/weight room/ convention centers, for twisted ankles and sore shoulders and for so many life lessons learned.

Here are reason reasons why I play — and have fallen in love with — the game of volleyball.

1. Friendship

The people that I have met through this sport have become some of my best friends. You become a family with your teammates, and their parents become, well, your parents. My years of volleyball would not be nearly as exciting without some of my (now) best friends by my side.

2. Club

I do not even have the words to say about how much I loved club ball. From meeting your team, to getting everything figured out and put together on the court and spending a majority of your days with them, they’re your sisters. Between the laughter, the tears, getting a bid to nationals, the awful practices after a long day and wanting to die because of a sport taking over your life, club ball is where so many memories are held.

3. Travel

Getting to go to Dallas, Minneapolis, Miami, Indianapolis, or simply staying in KC, it is always so much fun to be with your team and spend a majority of the time eating, then playing your favorite game every morning and/or afternoon. Hotel stays with your teammates and their parents always make some interesting moments. Getting to go to new places, try new things and getting to do what you love all at the same time.

4. Tournaments

From being in the awful high school gyms in the dead heat of summer to being in some of the nation’s biggest convention centers, tournament weekends are some of the best weekends of your life. This is where you get to eat, sit, play, eat, ref, eat, play and then eat. All for that single win that can land you a bid to the most important tournament of the year.

5. Opportunities

From trips, to new teams, to signing your letter of intent to play college ball, to becoming a coach, the opportunities that this sport give are absolutely endless. It opens you up so many chances, so many people and so many memories. My journey would be so much different without this game, I might be smart, or something like that.

6. Spandex

You’re welcome, boyfriends.

7. Hard work

“Get on the line.” “10 burpees if you miss your serve.” “You’ll learn your lesson at practice on Monday.” Yeah, those phrases are a few that absolutely suck, and there’s countless more! But, this game also teaches you how to work hard. You push yourself to your limits, you play against some of the best athletes in the nation that are your age, you get your butt kicked, you kick butts, you practice at ungodly hours and for ungodly hours, but wow, is it rewarding. The best lessons I have ever learned in my life have been taught to me through volleyball.

8. At the end of the day, it’s always there.

No matter how bad your day was or how pissed you are at your pal, you can walk into the gym and be perfectly fine. On the court is where it all falls off, and you get to focus on what really matters.

So, thank you, volleyball, for the path of life that you have taken me down and the opportunities you have given me. I am forever grateful for everything, even the torn ligaments and hits to the face.

I wouldn’t trade absolutely any of it for a thing, not a single unwashed, sweaty, 3-year-old kneepad.