Chances are most high school students were, at some point in their lives, involved in a recreational sports team. While most students played soccer, basketball or volleyball when they were younger, many today still devote their time each week to stress-reducing practices and games.

Students like junior Hannah Bruno, member of the volleyball team The Quitters, junior Rachel Bershad, captain of soccer team Chaos, and senior Parker Ragle, player on the Purple Cobras are just some of the many students on recreational teams.

“I’ve been playing volleyball for nine years now,” Bruno said. “I like being on The Quitters because I get to joke around and have fun with my friends while doing something that I am familiar with and not feel pressured to do well.”

For some, like Bershad, sports are not just another hobby. It is also a way to meet new people and make friends.

“Rec soccer is all about the friendships that are made between teammates,” Bershad said. “I love having a group of girls around me that I know I can count on, and I like to be able to give them the same in return.”

Other reasons for students to be on recreational sports teams are simply for the love of the game itself.

“I decided to join my team because I love playing basketball,” Ragle said. “Ball is life.”

Along with getting exercise every week, recreational sports have many other advantages. For example, they can teach their players character traits that may benefit them later on in life.

“In rec, the members of the team get an extraordinary opportunity at utilizing their leadership,” Bershad said.

Additionally, students find that playing on recreational teams can help bring a calm mentality and help reduce stress in one’s life.

“Basketball is a major stress reliever for me,” Ragle said. “Therefore, I do not find rec basketball stressful at all.”

Although some students may not play on high school sports teams, some still participate on recreational sports teams at facilities such as Plano Sports Authority (PSA) each week. The benefits of playing on these teams are endless, and more often than not bring joy and serenity to their lives.

“I just love being out on the field,” Bershad said. “It is something I look forward to every weekend. It is also something positive that I like to keep in my life, and that makes me happy.”