veradis
I'm not usually one for writing, but what happened this past weekend affected me so much that I had to write it down. My school volleyball team, after constantly having losing seasons in the past, finally advanced to a high level of the state tournament. This season has meant so much to me, and the following is how it ended. It is something I will never forget.
The Greatest Game
You look around at the historic gym, barely realizing what is going on. You hear nothing but the roar of the crowd, see nothing but the same look on your teammates' faces, feel nothing but the blood rapidly flowing through your veins. The crowd falls silent as the national anthem begins to play, and you face the flag hand in hand with your team, glancing at the four state championship banners next to it belonging to your opponents. The advice of everyone you heard in the past week, "You're gonna lose," "It's ok if you don't win, they're number one in the state," all of it fades away as you hear one small voice from somewhere inside you say We're gonna win.
There is no doubt in your mind now. There is no way you will lose this game. The music ends, and the crowd comes alive again, stomping and yelling, echoing throughout every part of your body. The bells toll, and you know exactly what they mean. As you take the court, there is no time to be nervous. You know the only way to do this is to play the best you ever have in your life.
As the game begins, you show them exactly what they came to do. You shove it in their face when you get a kill and a dig, confidence overcoming you. Slowly, one point at a time, they are defeated. As you switch sides you see the shocked look on the all stars' faces. You do it all one more time. As you realize that your dream is actually coming true, the excitement seeps through you. Up by two games, you somehow lose the next one. It's no big deal, you tell yourself. We can finish them again.
You are ready for them the fourth game, but you realize the reality of the situation. This coach, this team is legendary. They know everything about you. They know exactly what you are going to do next. They do not lose. You don't play any worse, but something begins to happen. You lose again.
Maybe it won't be perfect, but you can still pull it off. You see the looks on everyone's faces, and you know this is it. This is when you will win. You fall behind, one point, two points, five. And suddenly, it's over. You lost.
You see the astonished faces. How? Why? Everything passes in a blur. Somehow you get to the locker room, all the while trying to maintain your composure. Several people try to talk to you, but you only mutter a sad reply, unsure of what they are saying. After a talk with the whole team, the coach pull you and the other seniors aside. You look at him, a grown man in tears, and you can't contain it any longer. You've never felt such sadness before. How do you respond when he says that he is so proud, that you gave more than anyone believed you ever had, and you still came up short? You go back to your team, merely looking at some, hugging others for so long, desperately clinging to what you're afraid to let go of. You don't speak- words are not needed, they are insufficient. This can't be over. How could it be? Is there even a reason? What more could you have done? No, there is nothing. But then you remember. Nothing was lost but what was never gained.
The Greatest Game
You look around at the historic gym, barely realizing what is going on. You hear nothing but the roar of the crowd, see nothing but the same look on your teammates' faces, feel nothing but the blood rapidly flowing through your veins. The crowd falls silent as the national anthem begins to play, and you face the flag hand in hand with your team, glancing at the four state championship banners next to it belonging to your opponents. The advice of everyone you heard in the past week, "You're gonna lose," "It's ok if you don't win, they're number one in the state," all of it fades away as you hear one small voice from somewhere inside you say We're gonna win.
There is no doubt in your mind now. There is no way you will lose this game. The music ends, and the crowd comes alive again, stomping and yelling, echoing throughout every part of your body. The bells toll, and you know exactly what they mean. As you take the court, there is no time to be nervous. You know the only way to do this is to play the best you ever have in your life.
As the game begins, you show them exactly what they came to do. You shove it in their face when you get a kill and a dig, confidence overcoming you. Slowly, one point at a time, they are defeated. As you switch sides you see the shocked look on the all stars' faces. You do it all one more time. As you realize that your dream is actually coming true, the excitement seeps through you. Up by two games, you somehow lose the next one. It's no big deal, you tell yourself. We can finish them again.
You are ready for them the fourth game, but you realize the reality of the situation. This coach, this team is legendary. They know everything about you. They know exactly what you are going to do next. They do not lose. You don't play any worse, but something begins to happen. You lose again.
Maybe it won't be perfect, but you can still pull it off. You see the looks on everyone's faces, and you know this is it. This is when you will win. You fall behind, one point, two points, five. And suddenly, it's over. You lost.
You see the astonished faces. How? Why? Everything passes in a blur. Somehow you get to the locker room, all the while trying to maintain your composure. Several people try to talk to you, but you only mutter a sad reply, unsure of what they are saying. After a talk with the whole team, the coach pull you and the other seniors aside. You look at him, a grown man in tears, and you can't contain it any longer. You've never felt such sadness before. How do you respond when he says that he is so proud, that you gave more than anyone believed you ever had, and you still came up short? You go back to your team, merely looking at some, hugging others for so long, desperately clinging to what you're afraid to let go of. You don't speak- words are not needed, they are insufficient. This can't be over. How could it be? Is there even a reason? What more could you have done? No, there is nothing. But then you remember. Nothing was lost but what was never gained.