First, it just started off as a sport. Some new sport that my mom signed me up for in middle school because she wanted me to keep active. Something new that I thought would never become what I wanted to do everyday. It was not something I thought would teach me life lessons or bring me to the places that I have gone.

1. Volleyball helps you get your anger out and keeps you from being depressed.

When life is getting you mad and making you feel like you are out of control you can always use volleyball to help. It is a simple thing that can you are in control of. The ball is stupid and it will do whatever you tell it to do. You can hit it as hard as your body allows you to and it will take the beating. Volleyball is very simple once it is broken down it is a few simple steps. Serve, pass, set, hit and then the process repeats. You clear your head and those are all the steps you think of and it is like there is nothing else in the world that you need to worry about.

2. Volleyball helps you see the world.

There is travel volleyball for people who are really obsessed and it was the best thing they have ever gotten into. You go all over the country to play different teams and go to these complexes that seat over 10,000 people who are all competing to be the best at that tournament representing all 50 states.You travel to Colorado, California, Florida and all in between. If you play in and after college you have the ability to even go over seas. It would be incredible to immerse yourself in a different culture while doing what you love.

3. You learn discipline and structure.

When you first start volleyball you learn that what your coaches say is basically the word of God and you need to listen to them. It teaches you that you need to go outside your comfort zone while being respectful to those in charge. You get into a rhythm and a way of life that shows you that the structure is a necessity to live with the lifestyle of volleyball.

4. Speaking up for yourself is something you learn.

Sometimes the people in volleyball are actually quite in real life. Volleyball helps to get people to raise their voices and to be more assertive on the court. You have to have a voice if you want to have a chance to touch the ball on the court you need to raise your voice to let everyone know that you are there.

5. You will make relationships with people you never thought you would and they will be the best in your life.

When you play travel volleyball or even just go to camps you meet some of the most important people you will ever meet. If you are in a camp you should always try to make connections because you never known where the connections have the ability to get you. At this camp in Las Vegas I was able to connect with people all over the country such as coaches that I have talked to about playing over seas with. It is such an amazing opportunity to be able to talk to these coaches and build strong connections with these coaches.

6. You are competitive and driven.

Anyone who plays volleyball is very competitive. It is in the nature to make sure that the ball does not hit the floor and you will do almost anything to make sure that it doesn't happen. Your body takes a few hits for it as well. You put the ball first before anything else. With that it helps to make you have a competitive spirit in life as well.

7. Volleyball listens when no one else does.

As time goes on in life it helps that volleyball never gets mad or sad. Volleyball does not have feelings but you are allowed to take all of your feelings out on the sport and to just be selfish and not have to feel bad about it.

8. Playing volleyball is great cardio.

With some sports you do not get as much exercise. With volleyball you are always moving throughout the practice or game. When I play in a light grey t-shirt it is dark grey even 15 minutes into practice.

9. The uniforms are very comfy and simple.

Volleyball does have the best uniformpoint blank. The spandex gives us the ability to move as we please and allows us to have a breathable uniform. Our tops can be any sleeve we want, it is for whatever your comfort level is. It is great that there are a lot of choices.

10. Volleyball is something that gives you amazing memories that last a lifetime.

Volleyball brings me to a place where most of our memories are. From being on the mountains in Colorado to talking to USA coaches in Las Vegas and playing with National Volleyball League players on the beaches in Hawaii. You will make memories that last you a lifetime.

11. It brings me to my happy place.

Volleyball is what keeps me going and I can breathe easy and smile knowing it will always be by my side.