NCSA caught up with rising volleyball star Hayley Weidenbenner about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
NCSA: How do you show a college coach that you are really interested in their program?
Weidenbenner: I try to show interest in a college by responding to all questionnaires in a timely manner and asking questions about their volleyball program and school.
NCSA: Have you had coaches evaluate you in person yet? Tell us about how that feels.
Weidenbenner: Yes, I have had coaches evaluate me in person. When I see that these coaches have taken their time to assess me as a potential recruit for their volleyball team, I feel very privileged and overjoyed that I am being noticed. Their presence drives me even harder to be successful and help my team to play their overall best.
NCSA: How do you handle nerves when communicating with college coaches?
Weidenbenner: I have had limited communication with college coaches because I am still a freshman. However, I feel being a little nervous is a good thing because it helps motivate me to make a good impression with the recruiting coach.
NCSA: How do you deal with disappointment in the recruiting process? Can you give an example?
Weidenbenner: Again, being relatively new in the recruiting process I have not had any real disappointments, but if I were ever faced with any, I would definitely not dwell on it and would move on to focusing on the positive opportunities I have already received. I would not let one dissatisfaction bring me down from everything I had already achieved.
NCSA: What makes you a unique athlete that stands out from a crowd?
Weidenbenner: I am unique in that I am driven to be successful and always push myself to the next level of play. My motivation comes from within. I continuously work hard in school to obtain the best grades and be in the top 10% of my class. I feel I am a highly coachable and positive person. In addition, I am constantly a team player on and off the court.
NCSA: What are your goals for this club/high school season? How is the season going?
Weidenbenner: My goal for our team is to finish in the top 5 at the Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships, and my personal goal is to improve statistically and help my team win.
NCSA: What camps do you plan to attend over the summer?
Weidenbenner: I plan on attending the camps that I feel provide me with the best opportunity to improve my game and help my team.
NCSA: Who is your biggest motivator?
Weidenbenner: My biggest motivator is definitely my dad! He is always there for me when I need him and works hard in everything he does. My dad always wants what is best for me and I can constantly count on him to feed me advice and inspiration before every game! Every day, I can rely on him asking, “So what are your goals for today?”. If there is one outgoing and diligent person I would want to be, it would be my dad.
