I stepped onto a volleyball court for the first time when I was seven years old. I didn’t know then that the sport would become such a big part of who I am.

At that age, it was just fun running around, learning how to serve, and being excited every time the ball went over the net. But over the next 14 years, volleyball became more than just a game. It became my foundation, my outlet, and one of my greatest teachers.

They Never Stopped Believing In Me

Looking back, my journey wasn’t perfect or easy—but that’s exactly what made it meaningful.

One thing that never changed throughout my career was my support system. My parents were always there. Every game, every practice, every setback—they showed up.

There were times when I didn’t believe in myself, but they never stopped believing in me. That kind of support gave me the strength to keep going, even when things got hard.And things did get hard.

Some of my proudest moments came during high school, when my team won a state championship and went on to become district and regional champions multiple times.

Those moments were unforgettable—not just because of the titles, but because of the journey it took to get there. The early mornings, the long practices, the sacrifices—it all paid off in ways that went beyond the scoreboard.

I went through two surgeries during my athletic career. Those moments were some of the lowest points for me.

When you’re used to being active, competing, and constantly improving, being forced to sit still feels like everything is being taken away from you.

I remember questioning myself—wondering if I would come back the same, or if I would ever reach the level I was at before.

But those moments taught me something that wins and championships never could: resilience.

I learned how to be patient with myself. I learned that growth doesn’t always happen on the court.

Sometimes it happens in the quiet moments, when no one is watching, when you’re rebuilding yourself mentally just as much as physically. Those setbacks didn’t break me—they built me into someone stronger.

Going Through College Challenges

My college experience brought a different kind of challenge. There were coaching changes, adversity within the program, and moments where things felt uncertain.

It wasn’t always the experience I imagined for myself. But through all of that, I had to make a choice: either let those situations define me, or grow through them. I chose to grow.

I leaned into who I’ve always been—a leader, a competitor, and a fighter.

Leadership, to me, wasn’t about being the loudest person in the gym. It was about showing up every day, working hard, and setting the tone for others, even when things weren’t going my way. It meant holding myself accountable and staying consistent, even when motivation was low.

Finding My Identity Beyond the Game

Volleyball also shaped my identity in another way—being part of a white-dominant sport as a Black woman. There were times when I was one of the only ones who looked like me on the court.

That can feel isolating, whether people realize it or not. But instead of shrinking myself, I learned to stand confidently in who I am.

I realized that I wasn’t just playing for myself—I was representing something bigger. And that pushed me to carry myself with pride, strength, and purpose. It reminded me that I belonged in every space I stepped into.

But if I’m being honest, the biggest thing volleyball gave me wasn’t trophies or recognition. It gave me discipline.

Being a student-athlete taught me how to balance everything—practice, games, school, and life.

Academics were always important to me, and I took pride in that. Volleyball pushed me to stay organized, stay focused, and hold myself to a higher standard in everything I did.

Stepping Into My Next Chapter

Now, at 22 years old, I’m stepping into a new chapter of my life. I’m a biology major, and I was just accepted into a two-year nursing program. That moment meant everything to me, because it represents all the work I’ve put in—not just as an athlete, but as a student and as a person.

Volleyball may be behind me now, but the lessons it taught me will stay with me forever.

If there’s one message I want other athletes to take from my story, it’s this: your journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

There will be setbacks. There will be moments where things don’t go as planned. You might feel overlooked, doubted, or unsure of yourself. But none of that defines your worth or your

Potential. What matters is how you respond.

Be a fighter. Be consistent. Believe in yourself, even when it’s hard. And don’t forget to appreciate the people who support you along the way.

At the end of the day, the game will eventually end for all of us. The wins, the losses, the stats—they fade. But who you become through it all? That stays with you for life.

And for me, that’s the greatest victory of all.

— Mya Wood

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More Than the Game: How Volleyball Changed My Life

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More Than the Game: How Volleyball Changed My Life

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