More Than a Sport: Building Bonds Through Volleyball

By Alison Celis, Bay View Student-Athlete

Volleyball is more than just a sport. It’s a place where you can build a team, grow as a person, and strengthen important life skills. You’d be surprised how much progress you can make in such a short amount of time.

This is my second year here at Bay View and my second year playing volleyball. Coming into freshman year, I was determined to be part of the team. I made sure I attended pre-season practices and got cleared to play. Being a student-athlete isn’t easy—it’s a challenge balancing schoolwork and sports, but it also gives you motivation to show up every day.

I went to as many pre-season practices as I could, even when I didn’t have a ride. I was dedicated to improving, learning, and growing. I still remember the first day of practice, I was nervous. I didn’t know if I’d fit in or if the team would accept me. The practice was held in the lower gym since the big gym was under construction. When I arrived, my nerves calmed immediately. The players greeted me warmly, asking my name and welcoming me with smiles. In that moment, I felt like I belonged.

As time went on, I built strong bonds with the girls on the team. There weren’t stronger or weaker friendships—because at the end of the day, we were one team. We had to learn to communicate, cooperate, and cope with each other’s personalities. It wasn’t always easy, but we used our differences as opportunities to understand and grow together.

Throughout the season, we faced both victories and losses. One of our best games was against Marshall. We started off strong and felt unstoppable, but as they caught up, we realized that teamwork, not individual skill, was what made a difference. We supported each other, stayed positive, and pulled through for the win.

But not every game went our way. Our match against Golda Meir was one of our toughest. We were ready and confident, and the gym was full of energy and cheers. The first set was close, ending 20–25. In the second set, a few mistakes and the noise from the crowd got to us. We lost focus, and as frustration grew, so did discouragement. When one player felt defeated, the whole team did. Despite that, we never gave up—we fought until the end.

Even in defeat, we left the court with pride. We didn’t cheat, we didn’t quit, and we learned from the experience. Every game—win or lose—made us stronger, not just as players but as teammates.

As the seniors on our 2026 volleyball team said best:

“Consistency and dedication matter. Take advantage of your high school experiences—do what you love and stay passionate about it.” Team Quote.