To the athlete who’s been doubted,

2 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 months— that is roughly how much time you spend at practice during the regular season alone. That’s 480 hours, 20 days straight a year. You are dedicated. It shows. Yet no matter how much time you spend in the gym, or on the court, or on the field, being doubted sucks. It sucks. No matter if it’s your coach, a teammate, or yourself, it’s demoralizing. In fact, doubting yourself doesn’t only affect your mental game, but even more so how you actually play during the game.
In my own experience, having to smile and nod while my first ever volleyball coach said, “You are an amazing teammate but you do not have the height…or the skill to be a part of our top team.” Wow. It hit me like a shot to the heart. Would I have had the skill if I was taller? Patiently yet confused, I sat there and waited for a follow up, some form of reasoning. Nothing. My wandering mind was so frustrated: What is wrong with me? Why am I not good enough?
Not a day goes by when I don’t wish that I could be there to tell the little 7th grade me that it’ll all work out. “Persevere.” That was all my dad told me. As the season progressed, there were good games, and there were bad games. Good practices, and bad practices. Helpful advice, and hurtful comments. Persevere.
In hindsight, I now understand how much that one word meant.
As I slowly see you, who I have played with since we were 13, fall out of love with volleyball, the sport we have dedicated so much of our lives to, I want to tell you that one word. Last week, you called me and said “what do I do?” What is it? Friend drama? Boy problems? No. My stomach did a backflip as I heard you say the words I never would have thought, “I don’t want to play volleyball anymore.” What changed? You felt as if your high school coach had given up on you. “Persevere,” I said. Yes, it’s easier said than done. Persevere. What if you don’t? Think back to the days that your world revolved around volleyball. How disheartened would that version of yourself be if you gave up now?
Lack of closure in a tough situation can lead to any athlete feeling doubted which is why reasoning behind coaches’ decisions is beneficial, especially when it comes to making a tough choice about a new athlete. As athletes, what we want from our coaches is to know why they made a decision that they did. When we do not get this, we are left wondering.
So to all the incredible athletes who have faced doubt, remember that your strength and determination can prove anyone wrong. Believe in yourself, trust the process, and let your success be the response to those who doubt you. My advice to the people that are caught between a rock and a hard place is that a little perseverance will go a long way.

Sincerely,

Lexi C.