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Dear Reader,

My name is Claire Vinskus and I am a college beach volleyball player. Coming into college, I had played soccer my whole life, and was recruited by Catawba to play soccer at the collegiate level. After my first semester here, I realized that I was not in love with soccer anymore, and I chose to walk away from the sport I had played my whole life. I felt a gap in my life, not being an athlete – after playing for 11 years. This past semester, I was introduced to the beach volleyball team at Catawba, which piqued my interest, as I live on the beach and have lots playing recreationally. After speaking with the coach, I decided to walk onto the team, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I chose to research this topic, because being new to beach volleyball at the competitive collegiate level, I was curious about the context and complexity of the sport. I have learned much about beach volleyball itself; its sister sport – indoor volleyball; inequalities surrounding the sport; and much more. I hope through your own analysis of this project, you too will learn more about beach volleyball, and its growing prominence in college as a real, genuine, intense athletic sport.

Sincerely,

Claire Vinskus

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Axon, Rachel. “Why Are Some Women Still Wearing Skimpy Uniforms at Olympics?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 30 July 2021, www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/07/30/2021-olympics-why-some-women-still-wearing-skimpy-uniforms/5399967001/.

“Beach Volleyball Rules of the Game.” NCAA.Org, www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/12/5/beach-volleyball-rules-of-the-game.aspx. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

“The College Divisions Explained (D1 vs. D2 vs. D3): NCSA.” NCSA College Recruiting, 24 Jan. 2024, www.ncsasports.org/recruiting/how-to-get-recruited/college-divisions.

Miller, Cassandra. “Influence of the Volleyball Uniform on Female College Athletes’ Self Perceived Physical Appearance.” CalState Scholarworks, 10 July 2018, scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/hx11xf78v.

Mohr, Christopher. “Timing Your Pre and Post Workout Nutrition.” Timing Your Pre and Post Workout Nutrition, 19 Sept. 2019, www.eatright.org/fitness/physical-activity/exercise-nutrition/timing-your-pre-and-post-workout-nutrition.

Murphy, Dan. “Oregon Women’s Beach Volleyball Suing over Title IX Issues.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 1 Dec. 2023, www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/39021099/oregon-women-beach-volleyball-suing-title-ix-issues.

Pruitt-Young, Sharon. “The Sexualization of Women in Sports Extends Even to What They Wear.” NPR, NPR, 23 July 2021, www.npr.org/2021/07/23/1019343453/women-sports-sexualization-uniforms-problem.

Smith, Kim. “AVP Athlete’s Nutrition.” AVP Beach Volleyball, 19 Apr. 2022, avp.com/news/avp-athletes-nutrition/.

“Women’s Volleyball Rules of the Game.” NCAA.Org, www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/12/2/women-s-volleyball-rules-of-the-game.aspx. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Dear Soccer,

You have been my life for 11 years. Since I was little, playing Upward soccer at my church with my dad coaching, to playing at Seashore Soccer, to transferring to Wilmington Hammerheads in high school, driving two hours to practice daily, to being a scholarshipped college soccer player at Catawba College – you have been at the core of who I am. My fun fact? I play soccer. My favorite hobby? Juggling in my backyard. My favorite TV show? Watching the Bundesliga.

Choosing to walk away from you was the hardest – but easiest thing I’ve ever done. You were like a friend that I became so close to, it was toxic. You consumed my life. I spent every morning with you, and every evening. Every weekend was set aside for you. I chose my high school to follow you. I chose my college to follow you. I didn’t know who I was outside of you.

The pinnacle of my relationship with you was when you brought me to Catawba College. This was both the climax and the catalyst. I had made it – I was a high-level college athlete playing the sport I thought I loved. But I was now a high-level college athlete... I hate how stressed you made me feel. The pressure you put on me to be perfect. You would keep me up at night when I had a bad night at practice. You made me cry myself to sleep when I sat the bench the whole game. I depended on you so much that I relied on you to feel worthy. When you made me feel unvaluable, I was unvaluable. When you made me feel unseen, I was unseen.

Then I chose to walk away from you. It was refreshing, but it was stifling. It was a new page, but in the same book. I was a new person. I was no longer a soccer player. I wish I could say I missed you... But I didn’t - not for a while. I did not miss you, I missed the life I had with you – the structure, the schedule, the active lifestyle. So, I started playing beach volleyball.

Playing this sport was a breath of fresh air. The people were caring. The coach was patient and uplifting. I got to compete. I love it. I am not longer defined by you – or beach volleyball. I am a human being that plays a college sport.

I miss you sometimes. Watching my former teammates play and succeed. Being a referee at little kids’ soccer games and remembering that time in my life with you. Walking past a pick-up game at my park at home. I miss you. But I don’t miss the person I was when I was with you. Thank you for shaping me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful.

Yours truly,

Claire Vinskus