I’ve been playing volleyball on my high school team since freshman year. I’m not that good and I’m usually the bench warmer. I’ve played on the Freshman, JV, and finally the Varsity team this year (currently a Junior). I’m not sure if I should continue playing next year because it’s just been a huge commitment. I think time is the biggest issue. We start on the 1st day of August which means almost half of my summer is gone. I’d rather spend more time going to academic camps and starting my college essays.
On the other hand, our team is really good and has won states pretty recently, so I think it would look good for college apps. If I quit though, will colleges look down upon me? I feel that since I’ve been doing it for 3 years of high school, I might as well stick through it. I’ve also done so much volunteering for volleyball and I feel like quitting the team will mean that I did all of that in vain. Also, I really enjoy being on the team. It’s been so much fun more me last year and I don’t want to give it up.
I’d just like to hear what you guys think; hopefully, if you’ve had experience with this before you could offer some advice.
First, what do you want to do with your time? Does volleyball make you happy? That’s more important than one or two lines on your college app.
What type of colleges are you interested in and what majors? State flagship probably likes to see some ECs but is mostly into academic stats. Holistic private schools will appreciate your athletics and the quality of your essays. Engineering schools tend to like math stats but sports is an excellent way to show you are well rounded.
I really enjoy volleyball but I feel like it would be more important to focus on academics, right? I’m not planning to play in college. But I feel like it would look bad if I dropped it.
If you enjoy it, even as a bench warmer, why quit? Maybe consider if you will regret quitting, or staying. However, if volleyball is interfering with your ability to keep up good grades, that’s a valid reason to quit. Colleges care most about your grades.
Do what feels right to you and will make you happy, not what will “look better” for colleges. In my opinion, this says it all: “I really enjoy being on the team. It’s been so much fun more me last year and I don’t want to give it up.”
There is a currently a thread in another forum about a student who gave up doing what they enjoyed to try to get a leg up in college admission and was just deferred from their top choice.
There are no guarantees that one choice or another is going to be what tips the scales for admission so don’t let that be what guides you.
IMO, there is no wrong choice here if you are following your heart.
Are there other options you would consider? What if you give up playing volleyball for the team, but you assistant-coach a junior high or elementary school team, or teach or referee volleyball games for the park district or local YMCA? Those kinds of things are related, still fun to do, yet less of a time sink.
I played club vb last year but I couldn’t keep it up this year because of school and high school swim team. I am planning to be an assistant coach for my local chapter, but I’m not sure if that would still count as volleyball I guess?