As the spring semester begins, so do spring sports tryouts. Student athletes look forward to tryouts to showcase their skills and personality on the court.
In early March, the boys volleyball tryouts were held in the gym after school. For some it’s a return to it but for others it’s their first time trying out, bringing a mix of emotions in hopes to make a great impression and earn a spot on the team.
Throughout tryouts, coaches prepare to seek students who are willing to give it their all on and off the court. Students from different grades came together to experience the tryout process and abilities.
Coach Burdick shared his thought process behind the tryouts saying, “The process is in early March and for most part we see skills they do like hits, serve spikes etc. At the end we have games to see everyone’s skills individually and from that we see who fits best for the team.”
Describing the process of determining how well their abilities are based on their performance during practice games to see who would be a good fit.
Besides skills Ms. Burdick shared the importance of character, wanting athletes that will give it their all making sure they bring leadership and teamwork. Not only as a good player, but having a strong character overall.
“I look at skills and also character on and off the court if they benefit the team and to improve and become better,” Ms. Burdick said, pointing out players contribute to the team in a positive way.
As a member of the volleyball team for the last four years, Elvin Chen shared his experience as a senior. With previous tryouts and comparing it to his final tryout of senior year. Reflecting on his experience throughout his journey through his high school career. “I would say, like the people trying out had more motivation actually put, like more effort than previously,” Elvin said. Expressing the shift in improvement in effort among students who are new and putting on their best during tryouts.
Within student athletes, there are many different factors that keep them going and help them prove they deserve a chance. Through tryouts, students want to make sure they are in a good environment to keep them going and motivated to be in a team.
“My teammates, and like, being there and just seeing them grow as a person too, like, just keeps me going. I worked a little harder this year, and I really wanted to prove that during my games as well,” Elvin said.
Students focus on the aspect of having to show off how much they want the opportunity to showcase their skills and build relationships. As Elvin expressed, previous tryouts have helped him improve and make sure he incorporates them when the season starts. He shared how over the last four years he gained skills off tryouts and being able to build on them and make them part of his routine.
Tryouts can be a new experience for students who are wanting to become part of a team. Bringing a mix of feelings as they try their best to make a good impression and earn a spot.
For some students, like Andy Velasquez a sophomore, it’s his first time trying out, in hopes to be able to experience what a team is, build connections, and be part of the team at Edison.
“It was a very interesting and fun experience, I got to meet a lot of new people, which is something I rarely get to get. I also really got to show off my love for the sport,” Andy said. Aside from skills, tryouts are spaces for students who want to build relationships within a team and experience a tryout for the first time.
Apart from the physical part of tryouts, there are also mental challenges that students prepare for. Having to go through multiple rounds of games to see how well one does can be pretty nerve-wracking. Wondering if they performed well.
“I tried preparing mentally for it because like if let’s say I didn’t get in I would be able to go on and continue with confidence in mind,” Andy said. Tryouts can be a mental process for students such as Andy who are trying for the first time.
Showing the importance of skills and mindset, the volleyball tryouts highlight how skills are just a part of the process. There is more than just showing their abilities. It is also about valuing the character of athletes and understanding what keeps students at Edison motivated to join a sports team, representing determination and growth.
“I really wanted to try out because I wanted to be on a team. I want to know and understand the feeling it is to have, like, teammates and have good connections with them,” Andy said.
