Has anyone ever told you that they don’t believe in you? Well, I know for a fact I have been told this many times, such as when I was trying out for the JV Tennis Team. The Varsity Coach didn’t think I would be able to pass the physical fitness test. But remember, your dreams have no limits.

Ever since I had started playing tennis, my main goal was to play for the school team. Like most people you want to have a skill that sets you apart from others, and I knew this would be tennis.  But to be able to try out in eighth grade I would need to pass the physical fitness test. This is the obstacle to make the team that most people dread, including myself. You can dodge it if you start playing in ninth grade. Knowing myself as a coward, I thought I would wait until next year, but at the same time I felt as though I should put myself out there and come to terms with whatever shall happen. So I decided I would get  myself in shape, which I wasn’t  currently in. I thought, well, I guess I can do a little training, and see if I get in. But a crucial thing to remember is before you even take the test you need to get the approval from the varsity coach, even if you are on JV. This approval has to be with the varsity coach talking to your tennis coach to see if you have the criteria to be the “type” to try out for the tennis team and try the physical fitness test. Once the varsity coach took a look at my mile time she thought I was incapable of meeting the standards, or being a decent tennis player, but after she talked to my tennis coach she decided she would give me  chance. She may have jumped to a conclusion about me when she saw one thing that was tied to me that wasn’t superior, so she thought I wasn’t really serious about making the team.

I ended up training a little in the spring. I started running a half mile, three fourths, and so on. I mainly worked on my endurance. At times I felt just like quitting; I was so badly out of shape, I wanted to scream and just give up. But I couldn’t let this important opportunity go to waste.

By the time the test rolled around, I felt pretty comfortable in my capability of passing it, yet I was still anxious. For the test I stayed after school with Coach Buckley in the gym. I was so nervous; not only was this going to dictate if I could try out, but Coach Buckley would be facilitating it. Coach Buckley is genuinely a nice person, but she is no nonsense. I had to take tests for upper body, lower body, and speed; if you failed any of these tests you would go run the dreadful and grueling mile, and if you failed more than one, you could not try out for the team that year. I ended up passing all the tests except the speed test, so the next day I would have to run the mile. I was a little angry with myself for having to run the mile because of how tedious it was. But all I could do was put all of my effort into this and hope for the best.

During Gym class the next day I had to run the mile, and yes, it is very embarrassing to be the only person running the mile, the feeling that everyone was staring at you, yet you know that is such an absurd thing to think. For the mile I had to get less than 8:23, which I knew I could do. However, I kept on thinking, what if I get an ache, what if I just give up, etc… All the possible scenarios were running through my mind, for I am not a very upbeat type of person. I remember running that mile, mainly the extreme pain. You’re feeling like they couldn’t run much longer, and at times feeling like you just want to give up, but there was a force deep down telling you to continue. Each lap I got closer and closer to the end; but then your  reality checks in, and you see how far you are from the end.

The final lap I was jogging very quickly. All I could think of was that I could tryout, and of course for my heart to not feel like it would jump out of my chest. There I was, passing the marker hearing my time. The time wasn’t my best, but it got me the option to try out. The time was 7:51; I don’t know if it’s bad I still remember the time, or if it is a good thing. I was ecstatic, elated, for I had completed phase one of the journey yet to come.

By the time the summer rolled around I was ready to tryout for the team. I was anxious that I might be cut, but all I could do was try my best. When I first arrived there were over twenty girls. Everyone wanted a spot, so it wasn’t a very friendly atmosphere. For the first ten minutes girls were gradually coming in. Everyone introduced themselves, pretending to be warm and bubbly. Everyone had an angelic smile, but deep down they had a devilish feeling.

About ten minutes later we started doing drills, such as serving, volleys, forehand, backhand, etc. The coach was closely watching everyone to get a general idea who were the better girls. I was in the middle, not the best but not at all  the worst. As the week progressed, the drills were playing doubles or singles. You would play until ten points, then write on your card who you played against and what the score was. Even though this would determine my placing, it was surprisingly a good time.

I remember this day vividly; it was Friday, and I would find out your placement. It was an exhilarating experience. The coach was calling all the placements, then the names. The singles calling ended, then the doubles started. By the time the first doubles were called, I was pretty convinced that I would be cut. Then the coach called second doubles. I was one of those people. After I found out my position, I was beyond elated; I had accomplished one of my biggest dreams.

After I had accomplished one of my biggest  goals, I learned nothing limits you. The only thing that limits you is giving up on yourself.

-Maeve Segrue