The Impact of Volleyball’s Growth

The sport of volleyball has become a lot more common in middle and high school, and the students that play volleyball are affected by the popularity.
As the sport has become more popular, it has turned into a year-round commitment for the students that decide to play in both school and club volleyball.
Students at Lakeland High School are just a few in the region that are affected, but they are affected the same as those on the other side of the country.
Those that are on teams that travel around the country for a weekend tournament have to think about the school that they will miss because of this.
Many of these students have limited free time, spending up to three hours at practice two days a week with day-long tournaments practically every other weekend.
This means that they have to put aside time for homework on top of their time on the court, which does not leave a lot of time for friends.
Lakeland senior Aryah Black-Eagle Seres says that being involved in volleyball makes it a bit of a challenge to manage time, but it’s relatively easy to make time for school and friends. “Volleyball has definitely taken up a lot of my free time and most of my weekends” Black-Eagle Seres said. “But…it’s worth it.”
Freshman Madison Justesen gave a very similar response, saying that her free time is limited because volleyball is right after school. She still manages to make time for friends and homework, however.
Students that play volleyball also give up some of their high-school experience to volleyball, missing out on some of the events because they committed to traveling.
Black-Eagle Seres said that she sometimes feels like she’s missing out on things school-wise, like basketball games, but being able to travel around the country has given her experiences that are just as valuable.
Justesen was very upset that she had to miss Lakeland High School’s annual Battle for the Paddle due to volleyball, which is a very good example of how volleyball gets in the way of high school activities.
She also said that she sometimes feels as though she doesn’t have time for her friends on weekends she has to play in tournaments.
Freshman Shasta Ackerman said that she sometimes feels like she’s missing out, but it’s worth it to her because if she wants to play in college she has to make some sacrifices now in order to achieve that.
Despite this, students that participate in volleyball are able to maintain their good grades and performances in school.
Black-Eagle Seres said that it’s all about balance. She always prioritized homework over practice but still managed to be an active member on her teams.
“Grades come first, then sports,” she said.
Justesen said that she tries to do her school work with any available time that she has, and when her time at home isn’t enough, she uses her free time during school to get it done.
Ackerman said that she always puts aside time for school regardless of the restrictions on her time.
Students that participate in volleyball face challenges that affect their school life, but they manage just fine. Playing volleyball year-round encourages friendships and new experiences.
Ackerman made it clear that volleyball is a place she feels like she belongs, a place she can run to if things ever get to be too much.
“When it feels like nothing else is right, I know I can always come back to it.”
Both Black-Eagle Seres and Justesen said that they have met some of their best friends through volleyball as well as had experiences that gave them as much joy as a high-school event would have.