Paige Vespestad's Volleyball Community

Paige Vespestad’s Volleyball Community

Finding something that people love to do in their community can be a difficult thing to do. Many will try out everything until they find the right one. Some may find in a book club, others into sports or anything that matters to them. One person chose her path into joining that community and grow better not just as an athlete but a better person. Paige chose to play in volleyball team for club South KC Juniors to compete and win tournaments.

Paige comes from a background of athletic families. For example, her mom Megan used to play basketball and ran track. Her dad Scott was a football player in high school, and her twin sister Lydia played a little bit of volleyball until eighth grade. Her cousin Erin also used to play volleyball. So far Paige is the only one who still active in sports and currently in a volleyball team.

Paige started to have an interest in playing volleyball in fourth grade. However, volleyball was not her primary sport in fact, she started playing soccer. As she was growing up, she began to play more volleyball and was going back and forth in both soccer and volleyball. “I was playing soccer and volleyball at the same time, but later as years went by I’ve became more attached to volleyball,” as she says about her choice in playing.

She would often go practice twice a week for with her friends for their club team. They work hard to win tournaments which takes place on Sundays and sometimes both days on Saturdays and Sundays. Paige has also traveled with her team to compete with other clubs outside of the division, although she says “The farthest I’ve travelled for a competition was to Wichita, Ks” More so, “I have competed in nine tournaments in one season. Out of the nine time playing games, I’ve won 1^st place medals eight times.”

As mentioned before, volleyball can be played by anyone in different genders, ages and height. The game of volleyball has some advantages about getting more physical. According from a source in athletico.com says “Volleyball also improves muscle strength and tone.” Furthermore, talks more “In addition, volleyball improves hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and balance. Last but not least, volleyball teaches teamwork and communication and is a great social activity.” (http://www.athletico.com/2012/08/14/why-play-volleyball/). There are rules and regulations to play in tournaments. For example, teams must have six players on each side of the court, they play with their hands and arms; and a referee calls out whether it’s a point to the team; a foul play; or out of bounce. The rules work out in any place people play on the beach, at a park, or a gym facility with indoor volleyball court.

I asked Paige if she were not competing in tournaments in volleyball, what she would be doing instead. She says “If I were not playing volleyball or competing in tournaments, I would hopefully coach volleyball.” Sometime in the future, Paige dreams to progress her talents after she graduates high school. I asked her if she wanted to compete in the summer Olympics in the future, her response “That would be the ultimate goal!” as she continues on about her dream, “but the furthest I will get to competing in volleyball is all the way through college.”

There are players around the world that identify themselves with their jersey number like Messi has number ten shirt or Michael Jordan with the number twenty-three. Paige got to choose her number jersey every time she steps on court. “When I was playing soccer, I had the [jersey] number as two. When I started playing volleyball before competing, I had the number six. I combined both numbers two and six to make twenty-six.” She chose that number very simple from her past games.

She has people who have helped her out through her life and supporting her today. Her family supports her on what she does on practice days and on tournaments. Same goes with her friends and team mates in school. Without her, they wouldn’t have won many tournaments. But the one person that help Paige become a better player and continue as an athlete for the school team is her volleyball coach “the person who inspired me to keep on playing is my head coach Clarissa.” If it wasn’t for her coach, she would not be in volleyball tournaments and help her teammates win medals.

Becoming an athlete not only uses physical strength but have a better mind and attitude. Some of athletes who retire from professional or competitive sports usually become coaches for the next generation of athletes. Paige even though is still competing in volleyball; she has also started to coach for little kids. Paige did say “I see myself coaching in the future” as she has more interest in helping other kids to have more fun playing with other kids like the way her head coach Clarissa does.

Paige has chosen her community to play volleyball because it’s what represents her. People support her throughout her games. Coaches inspiring her to keep playing for her club team. Most important thing is that she wants to become a coach to help and inspire more kids to play. She’s happy no matter what she does; when she plays on court or coaching new upcoming players competitive or non-competitive.