Volleyball is a difficult sport. There are levels of competition, an extensive toll on your body, and mental fatigue from all-day tournaments. I consider myself above average, but I love challenging myself against stronger competition. I was invited on Wednesday to the NYVBA A League, and I was honestly terrified at first. Being realistic, I was already overthinking my skill level. I know my strengths and weaknesses: I can hit tactically, play solid defense, and read hitters fairly well. However, I was invited to play as a middle. This meant playing with a libero, so many of my usual strengths weren’t as relevant.
To make the most of the opportunity, I needed to step up. I have played middle before, and I’ve always struggled with blocking. That became my focus immediately. When I showed up, I had a few practice sets with the setter. The connection felt smooth, and I already understood the timing of my approach. I didn’t get many sets during the match, but the ones I did get were usually kills. There wasn’t much stopping me, especially since the opposing setter was often locked onto their outside hitters.
Speaking of those outsides, I was reminded quickly that high-level volleyball is a different game. These players were explosive. Watching them bend their backs, elevate, and snap the ball down was unreal. Their speed stood out the most. It exposed my weaknesses immediately. My blocks were late, poorly positioned, and often ineffective. I was also moving too fast laterally and, at times, landed dangerously close to my teammates, even stepping under another blocker. That’s not just a mistake—it’s a liability.
That experience forced me to confront a simple truth: being “good” in one environment doesn’t mean much when the level increases. The game speeds up, the margin for error shrinks, and your weaknesses get exposed whether you like it or not. But that’s exactly why I put myself in that position. I don’t want to stay comfortable playing at a level where I already know I can succeed. I want to be in environments that force me to adapt, to fail, and to improve. This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a necessary one. It showed me exactly where I stand and, more importantly, what I need to work on next.
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