By Kyley Reed, Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Not long ago I was just a 14-year-old volleyball freshman who wore awkwardly fitted spandex and puffy pads that swallowed my kneecaps whole. Not long ago I played in my first club tournament, and almost dropped dead when I saw a college coach standing at my court. Not long ago I fantasized about being recruited; everyone had assured me it would be a wonderful process.

Now I’m a 16-year-old senior varsity volleyball player. I’ve figured out the whole spandex situation, my  knee pads finally fit and I have survived the not-so-wonderful recruiting process. By survive I mean it was an emotional roller-coaster ride full of excitement, fear, anxiety and hope. My face often shifted from a smile –- when I received letter of interest from college –- to a sullen expression –- when I had to recite mini pep talks in front of my computer after reading the dreaded “Thanks, but no thanks” e-mails.

No less terrifying were the cold calls I made to college coaches, cringing with every ring that counted down to my well-rehearsed intro. I felt an exhilarating pang in my stomach whenever I looked up to see a coach hovering near the end line of my court, and the lump of disappointment in my throat when he or she walked away without so much as a “hello.”

Click below to read more and watch a video of Kyley Reed talking about the recruitment process.