Alyson Akers had put her heart and soul in getting into her dream school, Duke University. Despite her massive achievements-salutatorian of her class, top of the line SAT scores, 300+ hours of community service, and district MVP in volleyball-her dream was crushed. Not only that, but all the dreams of going to any highly esteemed school had been crushed. University of Chicago: nope. Northwestern: nada. Vanderbilt: zilch. It stung. She didn't understand where she went wrong. There was only a single school she had applied and been accepted: her back up, her automatic acceptance, the University of Texas. Alyson had nothing against the school, in fact she had been bred a longhorn since birth, but she just thought she was destined for somewhere else. But boy, was she wrong.
After recovering from multiple rejection letters, Alyson put her game face back on. She was in the running for a huge scholarship from St. Davids, which if she won, would pay for her entire undergrad as well as half of medical school. As soon as she finished her final presentation, one of many she'd given over the past month, she knew she had nailed it. Even then, the announcement of her victory seemed a shock. With so much ache put on her heart from her failure to get into her dream school, she didn't believe success was destined for her. Tears of joy flowed, and suddenly Alyson understood why God had taken away the opportunity of Duke University: he was giving her an even better one in her hometown of Austin, Texas.
Alyson inhaled deeply. This was it, bid day. Rush had been exhausting, and on top of that she had been getting into the gym late at night to work on her volleyball technique in order to make the club team at her university. School hadn't even started and she'd never been more tired in her life. She was relieved to find that 90% of the sororities were not rich, snobby girls as the movies depicted. Alyson was only able to afford the sorority because her college was paid for, so she was nervous about the other girls at first. She knew the house she loved, the home she had pledged, and prayed to God that they had pledged her as well. Alyson took one more look in the mirror, brushed her hair out of her face, and headed out the door.
Once again, Alyson cried tears of joy the moment she found out her home for the next four years would be Zeta Tau Alpha. The girls in her new home were the most genuine and hilarious girls she had met, and they were now her sisters! She laughed off the tears and relished in all the picture taking that was occurring. The girl she had connected with most directly, Melanie, a year older than her, embraced Alyson with so much warmth that she knew this was home.
Fast forward nine days. Lots of training had been put into this, and she felt confident for once in her life at tryouts. She stood, ready in athletic stance at the ten foot line, and released as soon as the coach slapped the ball. Dashing to setters position, Alyson kept her eyes on the ball the whole time, jumping in perfect tempo as the volleyball fell onto her fingertips. A perfect jump set to outside. She continued her rounds, also performing a shoot, a quick middle set, a quick back set, and a regular back set. Alyson stole a glance at the coaches judging her, and she could tell, they were impressed by her setting abilities. The brunette smiled to herself, feeling more and more confident by the second.
The tryout continued, and so did Alyson's success. She served every spot just as they told her in the serving round. In setters defense, she picked up even the hardest hit balls, and did well to get her 5'10 frame up for the block. Not only that, but she hit some of her best kills ever that day, including some line and hard cross shots she didn't even know she had in her. She smiled inwardly, knowing that being a leftie gave her a spark. Following a bit of play time, the athletes were left to wait for the decision. Alyson sat down with her former high school teammates, Katherine and Janelle, and they gossiped about volleyball, school, and sorority life, Katherine being a Tri Delta and Janelle being a Chi Omega.
Suddenly, the head coach of the University of Texas Club Team emerged to announce those who had made fall league to the 100+ girls there. She was going in alphabetical order, and there were only 12 girls who would make it through. It was now or never.
"First, making it through as a setter," Alyson's stomach churned and her muscles tensed up as she waited for the next words to release, "Alyson Akers!" Alyson couldn't help herself, she squealed and jumped, but quickly collected herself to walk over and shake hands with her new coach. The tall woman continued, but Alyson found it hard to focus. Until, she heard her teammate's name called.
"Making it through as a libero, Janelle Ortiz!" Alyson gasped, one of her best friends had made it too! Oh god, please let Katherine be the next name, Alyson thought to herself. It took two more people between, but her wish had been granted.
"Making it through as a middle blocker, Katherine Westerfeld!" Alyson jumped up high the same way she did when they made it to state semi finals senior year. Her two best friends made it through with her. Nothing could describe this feeling, and Alyson was high on euphoria.
