So if you miss the last story I told about my first college party you can read that here though it isn't required. Today I want to tell you about the time I got hit in the face during a volleyball match.
So I started playing volleyball when I was in seventh grade. I didn't make my middle school team when I tried out but the coach said I had talent and to try and join a recreational team of some kind to get more practice. So that's what I did. I tried out for the Junior Olympic team and made it. So that started my love of volleyball. I played Junior Olympic ball from 7th grade until sophomore year in high school. I also played for my school from 8th grade until my senior year.
I played a setter for all of my school volleyball career and most of my JO career except for one year when I played the libero which is the defensive specialist. I have to admit libero was fun but I didn't like that I couldn't stay in at all times. I know. Spoiled brat. Oh well. Get over it.
So let's talk about my senior year playing school ball. It's one of the first scrimmages of the season. We are away at Western Guilford (I'll never forget it y'all). So the game had just started. I'm on the back row ready to receive the serve from the other team. I'm down and ready. I swear I blink and then BAM! That ball hits me square in the freaking face. I drop to the floor and roll off the court so my teammates can continue to play off my face. I know, I know. That's probably the weirdest thing you've ever heard but I'm serious. You never quit playing. So they actually win the point and then all 5 of my teammates who are actually on the court come to side asking if I'm okay. Clearly we call for a timeout and make sure nothing is broken. Which of course it isn't. Serves to the face don't usually hurt unless you have a killer arm. So really it just shocked me.
However the next time it happened was a totally different story. The next time was actually at a conference game, meaning it was really important. So we are at an away game at Southern Guilford where one of my old JO teammates, let's call her Jen, goes to school and plays volleyball there as well. Now let me just say that I played with this girl for like 2 years. I know her strengths and I know how she plays. So I'm on the front row closest to the bench. So Jen goes up to spike the ball and as soon as she starts to swing I know something is wrong. She isn't going to be hitting it in the center of the ball. Oh no, she's about to hit it more towards one side. So immediately I back up a little more towards the bench. But it's too late. She makes contact and that ball comes flying at my face at a speed of probably 25 mph or more. I mean this girl knows how to hit a ball. This ball hits my face, specifically my nose, so freaking hard, it knocks me on my butt and sends me flying into my bench. Like literally I look up and see my coaches face. My teammates were so stunned they had stopped playing. And the worst part? If my face hadn't been in the way, the ball would have been out of bounds.
So I'm staring up at my couch when the pain hits. It's like a shooting pain and I immediately get a headache. Of course though, being the intense, competitive person I am I just start asking if I can go back in and play. Coach says no and the other team's athletic trainer is checking out my nose. Thankfully it wasn't broken. We lost the game and it was sad. I had a headache off and on for the next few days. It was also a little swollen and bruised for the next few days.
Here's the hilarious part. In a paper the next day (I can't remember what paper it was) on the front page of the sports section is a picture of Jen in the air about to hit that ball in my face. The caption? Something to the effect of "Jen preparing to spike a ball at the other team and injuring a player." Like seriously? Sit down with that. I was not injured. I was momentarily unable to play. Jen apologized profusely for like 4 days but I was never mad at her and of course I forgave her.
Looking back now, it is absolutely hilarious. I wish someone had a video of the whole thing. My coach was laughing like 2 minutes after it happened. Ah, memories. Here are a few pictures from my senior year volleyball career. There aren't many but whatever. Enjoy!
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| Oh dear those bangs. |
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| Senior night. I still have that poster. All my girls signed it. *tear* Miss it so much! |
All my love, Carly ♥