1.
Having to get through practice with a smile on your face on days you forgot your knee pads.
2.
The moment you accepted your height may never change.
3.
Having to practice dives over and over again until your body gives out.
4.
The moment you realized your coach's corrections are forever ingrained in your mind.
5.
Creating chants for perfect kills and aces.
6.
When one of the players royally screws over the whole team and causes your coach to lose his or her shit.
7.
Watching your brand new manicure slowly chip away right in front of you at practice.
8.
Accepting the small possibility that someone's powerful hit could nail you in the face and kill you.
9.
Not really having a summer because of all the hellacious two-a-days.
11.
Successfully pancaking the ball for the first time.
12.
The smell of your brand new Mizunos.
13.
The sweet sweet thrill of your first kill.
14.
And that beautiful "block party."
15.
The slow burn from dig after dig.
16.
Getting hit in the back of the head by someone's shoddy attempt at a serve.
17.
Thinking you were super intimidating strolling into a tournament with all your gear on.
18.
Slippin' into these fashion gems after the game.
19.
Yelling "mine" or "I go" to anything that comes your way.
20.
Getting that game day braid just right.
21.
The uncontrollable excitement before your first game of the season...
22.
... And the overwhelming sadness before your last.