• I was always top notch at volleyball. I played with my friends and my twin sister all the time and my old coach would always praise us for our hard work. Now, I was moving on to high school, where the games are more intense and serving is overhand only. Plus, the girls were able to spike the ball and I was still, well, a short freshman.

    My sister and I were only able to be at volleyball try-outs on the last day. We were anxious and restless. How's this coach going to be? I thought. Will he be strict?

    Soon enough, we're jogging laps around the massive gym and stretching with all the other girls trying out. I was still nervous though.

    The new coach was a man and he instructed us to get a partner and a volleyball. He told everyone to bump and set to each other. I lectured my sister for messing up. We HAD to make the team. Volleyball was our life.

    After that, everyone overhand served it to their partner. Luckily, I did very good. I tried to show off my stellar volleyball skills, but it seems like the coaches weren't even acknowledging me! I glanced at my sister. She was doing her best too.

    Next, was spiking the ball. I did awful at this. It seemed like everyone was doing well, but me. I moped to myself, though the confidence in me rose.

    Every girl excitedly waited for the list to be in the lobby. My sister and I smiled because we knew we would make the team.

    The horde of jubilant, tall girls rushed and shoved to get a look at the list of names who made the team. Girls around us screamed, "We made the team!" And then hugged each other happily. I squinted to read the cursive written names on the sheet of paper tacked on the wall.

    I didn't see my name. I checked again to see if it was just an illusion or some kind of mirage. My name wasn't listed. My sister's name wasn't listed. My stomach felt like it dropped and my throat felt fuzzy. My sister and I silently exited the gym, droning out the excitement in the lobby.

    I felt like crying, but I didn't want to in front of my mom and sister. I'm sure my sister was just as disheartened, but I don't think she felt even enough sorrow to weep. I felt a little pathetic. I felt like buying expensive volleyball shorts were a huge waste of money. I felt like my sports physical was a huge waste of money. And I felt like I let down my parents, who had to pay. I felt like my dreams of being on the volleyball team as a freshman had withered and died in front of me. And... I felt like there was no purpose anymore.