Last Thursday was a historic night full of “FIRSTS.” It was the first match of the Grand Rapid’s Rise Inaugural Season, the first match of my professional indoor volleyball career, and the first game back on the hardwood in over six years. Lots of nerves and excitement were flyin’ all over the place!
Reflecting on the past few days, I am still bubbling with the joy I felt during that remarkable night of firsts. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason for my joy, but I believe it all boils down to one thing: the people. The people are what made that night so memorable. The energy inside Van Andel Arena packed with 8,000 passionate fans cheering on me and my battle-tested teammates all night, made it feel like the entire city was behind us in our efforts. Together, we achieved something extraordinary that will go down in history as a monumental moment for women’s athletics.
I have been asked for several months why I returned to indoor volleyball. My answer is simple: I missed it. I missed being part of a big team, a family.
I missed the daily interaction with my 15 teammates, the camaraderie during practices, and seeing the growth of my fellow athletes as they honed their skills and God-given talents. I missed the conversations and friendships built in a team setting, the laughter, and the banter during water breaks, warm-ups, cool-downs, and in the locker room. There is a unique joy that comes with playing indoor volleyball that I was dying to taste one more time. And gosh, did I take a big ‘ol bite of it on Thursday night!
I wish I could have played the game with a Polaroid camera in hand to capture all the incredible moments of the night – scrapbook-worthy stuff! I would capture the moment we ran out of the tunnel to see thousands of little girls who dreamed the same dream as me and some who will one day play on this floor. I would take a low-angle photo of our first huddle on the court before the match began as I heard our captain exclaim over the screaming fans, “I love you guys. Now let’s go have some fun!” I’d also love to have snapped a highlight reel pic of Claire Chausee flying in the air higher than anything you’ll ever see on the beach court. I mean, I’ll take a front-row seat every game as I cover behind her 🙂
But who am I to bring a Polaroid camera when you have a terrific crew of professional sports photographers capturing all the action on the court? My favorite shots were the ones of the huddles. These are the moments when everyone is coming in together, guns blazing, high fives are flying, butts are being slapped, intense eye contact, and words of all kinds, some I can’t repeat, are being used to hype us up. I like to explain a huddle after a big point as a big crockpot of compliments! Who wouldn’t like coming into a huddle of high fives, smiles, laughs, and positivity flyin’ all over the place!? Each point is like a mini party!
I look back at these photos and now know for sure that this is why I chose to take the leap from beach to indoor. This is the joy of being part of a team.
But only some teams are like this. I believe you can be happy when your team wins, but joy comes from the people you are around. You get something special when you find a group of people who want to see their teammates succeed as much if not more than they want to see themselves succeed. Talent and humility are rare and unique ingredients in a great team recipe. Winning can bring temporary happiness that fades away quickly. However, being together and achieving our BEST as a team can bring lasting joy that stays with us, win or lose on the court and for years beyond the hardwood.
“When I look back on my volleyball career, I remember the moments of pure joy, cheering and smiling with my teammates. I always try to remind myself that at the end of it, it’s the people I’ll remember the most.”
Looking back on that night, I feel grateful to God. I thank Him for leading me to the opportunity to step back on the indoor court, for allowing me to play amongst a group of incredibly talented women, for placing me in a position to represent the great city of Grand Rapids, and for the responsibility of inspiring the next generation of young girls. Witnessing my family in the stands, the most significant individuals in my life, watching me play that night brought tears to my eyes. This may have been a night of firsts, but it certainly won’t be the last.
Sarah Sponcil is a prominent figure in the world of professional volleyball, known for her exceptional skills, work ethic and achievements on the court. Born on August 16, 1996, in Phoenix, Arizona, Sponcil began her volleyball journey at the age of three and has been showcasing her immense talent and dedication to the sport ever since.
Garnering three high school state championships in Arizona, and two NCAA national championships at UCLA, Sponcil’s career reached new heights when she represented the United States at the 2020 Olympic Games. At 24 years of age, Sponcil became the second youngest beach volleyball player to ever represent Team USA in the Olympic Games and, together with her partner Kelly Claes, were the youngest beach volleyball team to ever represent Team USA in the Olympic Games.
Following her Olympic success, Sponcil has continued to excel as a professional volleyball athlete, earning numerous accolades and recognition for her prowess as both an indoor and beach volleyball player. Her versatility, athleticism, and relentless determination has solidified her reputation as one of the top players in the sport and make her a force to be reckoned with on any volleyball court.
Off the court, Sponcil is known for her humility, work ethic, and commitment to her faith, family, and desire to inspire the next generation of athletes. She serves as a role model for aspiring volleyball players worldwide, demonstrating that with passion, perseverance and dedication, anything is possible in the world of sports.
