Reflecting on My Volleyball Blog Journey and Lessons Learned

Mia Thompson- Media Day Photo

Hey Ballerz! Welcome Back!

Finding my niche and building this blog over the past semester has been such a fun experience! When the idea of creating a blog was first introduced to me, I won’t lie, I felt overwhelmed. How do you even start something like that? Who would even care? But I knew it was going to be a commitment; it had to be about something I truly love. And for me, that’s always been volleyball.

Talking Volleyball Just Made Sense

Volleyball has been my life and passion for as long as I can remember. From the early days of learning the basics to becoming a college athlete, this sport has shaped who I am in so many ways. It’s not just a game to me, its more of a lifestyle, a community, and a constant challenge to grow. So, when it came time to choose what I wanted to write about this semester, it felt obvious to center my blog around volleyball.

I knew I wanted to share what I’ve learned throughout my journey, not just as an athlete, but as someone who’s been through the ups and downs of training, team dynamics, injury recovery, mental preparation, and balancing sports with academics. I wanted this blog to be a resource for fellow athletes, especially younger players who are still figuring out the sport and trying to find their own path in it. There are so many things I wish someone had told me earlier in my volleyball career, and I hope that my posts have served as that kind of guidance for someone else.

From Perfection to Connection

One of the biggest things I learned this semester was how to connect with readers. We talked a lot in class about avoiding overly complicated writing and making sure your tone feels authentic and accessible. At first, I worried too much about making my posts sound “perfect.” But over time, I realized that readers respond much better when you're real with them, when you write like you’re having a conversation, not giving a lecture. That mindset helped me relax and enjoy the process more, and I think it made my writing stronger, too.

Planning each blog post became something I actually looked forward to. Once I had a few key ideas mapped out, everything started to flow. I drew a lot of inspiration from my own experiences, things I’d learned from games, practices, coaches, and teammates over the years. Whether it was a post about mental toughness or a breakdown of footwork drills, I tried to write each piece with the mindset of “What would have helped me if I were reading this as a younger athlete?”

Keeping the Game Going

I’m also really excited to say that this blog isn’t going to stop here. Even though the semester is wrapping up, I’ve found that I genuinely enjoy this creative outlet. In fact, I’m already brainstorming a new blog series focused on summer workouts and at-home volleyball drills for athletes who might not have access to a net, a gym, or even a full team over the break. I remember those off-seasons where I wanted to stay sharp but didn’t always know what to do on my own. If I can help even a few athletes stay connected to the game during the summer months, it’ll be worth it.

I also want to keep going deeper into what it’s like to be a college athlete—not just the technical side of training, but the real-life stuff that people don’t always talk about: time management, burnout, nutrition, confidence, and keeping your love for the game alive. These are the areas where I think athletes need the most support, and I’m excited to keep exploring them through writing.

Proud of the Process

Looking back, I’m genuinely proud of what I created this semester. Starting a blog seemed intimidating at first, but once I found my focus and reminded myself why I was doing it, everything fell into place. And honestly, it’s been really fun. I got to blend my love for volleyball with a new kind of expression, and along the way, I learned a lot about writing, planning, and sharing something personal with an audience.

I can’t wait to keep sharing, learning, and growing through this blog, both on and off the court.

THE GRIND NEVER STOPS! See you next time Ballerz!

-Mia Thompson

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