Hey guys, I recently discovered another problem with my senior year. At my school, you are required to take either a sport or PE as a class and I’ve decided to take Volleyball. Since it is a sport, there will be after school practices in addition to the in school class. This is going to be my first year taking Volleyball since middle school since my mom didnt let me play because the members of a sport are required to be in that class and since its a regular class, it brings down GPA. Looking at the team’s website yesterday, I found out that 10/13 spots are already taken by previous juniors and sophomores that were on the varsity team last year. Since I’m going to be a senior, I can only try out for varsity rather than the freshman or JV teams. And the girls that were on the varsity team last year are obviously going to be on the team this year since there were only 3 seniors that graduated. I’m competing with: other newcomers like me, juniors who were on the JV team, sophomores who were on the JV team, and incredibly amazing freshmen that are asked to try out for the varsity team because they’re just that good for 3 spots. The girls who have been on the JV and freshman teams have a greater chance than me because, lets be real, they’ve got more training and practice. (And the coach favors them) The thing is, for me, volleyball isnt just a required class fulfillment but neither is it a future career option. Although I absolutely love volleyball, I just dont see myself playing it in the future. And when I say this, many people will probably think that I should let the girls who do want to play volleyball in the future on the team instead of me accidently making it and crushing their dreams or something. But I’m pretty sure that there are only about 2-3 that are seriously considering volleyball as a career option so I’m not going to crush anyone’s hopes by making the team. And I cant even cram practice over the summer because I’m taking AP Government and AP Macro over the summer at summer school to increase my GPA. As soon as Macro ends, literally the next day, tryouts begin. I’m just really worried and I also really want to make the team. Any advice would be appreciated!
bump
Just do your best. If you want to achieve it, you should try. Btw I have never gotten in a team ever so I am no expert.
If you don’t make the team, you take PE, right?
So you give it your best shot, and take PE if it doesn’t work out.
Are you saying you’ve never taken PE because it would bring down your GPA? How is that even possible?
@bjkmom In our district, you need to take at least one PE or athletics class. AP and PreAP classes are worth 1 more point towards GPA than regular classes. And since PE/athletics are regular classes, they bring down the GPA of people who normally take AP/PreAP classes.And since PE/athletics is a year long course and I live in Texas (where colleges look at ranks) my mom thought that half a semester of the regular PE credit would not factor in towards bringing down my GPA/rank until after acceptance letters came in. And yes, if you dont make the team, you are transferred to a PE class, but seeing as I barely have any notable ECs and I absolutely love volleyball, being on a team would help me academically and psychologically.
One PE in four years??? Wow-- every kid I know (in NY) has taken a full year, every year since Kindergarten.
@bjkmom and thats why kids and parents always look for ways to get around the regular required classes such as PE, health/speech, etc.
I would try to work out over the summer regardless of your classes. Also, do you have a backup plan if you don’t make volleyball?
@thinkingtoohard No they would just switch me to regular PE. Plus this might be my last chance to ever play competitive volleyball…
Try your best, but be realistic too.
As a sports recreational player myself (tennis), I know full well what it’s like to step onto the courts after a long hiatus. The rust you develop is inevitable, and a bit embarrassing.
Get yourself back into shape by fine tuning the volleyball basics: footwork, timing, conditioning, jumps, blocks, digs, serves, etc. Give yourself time, little by little, to let your muscles jog their memory. Don’t get frustrated during the first couple of days. It will take time, but it should come back to you.
Do you have access to a volleyball court? You need to reorient yourself spatially to the height and depth of the court. Take some practice balls, and work on the fundamentals with a friend again, again and again.
Watch what you eat, get plenty of rest too (very important).
On the day of the tryouts, you need to zone in and focus on yourself, not on the others (i.e. don’t get distracted, intimidated, etc). You need to deliver better than the others. If that means diving for a ball and getting skin burn, bruises and cuts, well, you get the idea. Prove that you are a competitor in whom your teammates and coach can trust and depend upon. Make a great first impression.
Keep in mind that in the professional NBA basketball world, familiar faces in tryouts with old coaches do not necessarily translate to a spot on a roster. Just food for thought.
If you don’t make the cut after tryouts, don’t look at it as a monumental failure on your part. Learn from it. I promise you, this experience will be one of many that will shape you and make you even stronger as you go through life. If you make it, great!
Either way, this will be a win/win for you. 
@UCLAalumPro thanks! i actually do not have access to a volleyball court this summer. there are going to be open gyms at our school a few days before tryouts but I have summer school at that time so I dont think I’ll be able to use them… for now i’m just playing against the wall. the only person I know who plays volleyball is my dad and he’s busy at work… i dont think this will work out but i’ll give it my best shot!