Kaitlyn Janzen '22 Recruiting Profile

My ultimate goal is to play competitive college volleyball while earning my college degree.  I would like to have a future in Sports Medicine/Physical Therapy or Early Childhood Education and I know a college education is essential to my future success.  I know playing volleyball in college is a once in a lifetime opportunity that would be a part of me for the rest of my life.

I have the ability and skill to be a versatile player.  For my club team and high school team as well, I am an outside hitter as well as Defensive Specialist playing all-around. I am a very hard-working and passionate athlete. In addition to being motivated, I play with integrity, I am dedicated to my team, and have a hunger to succeed.  I believe in leading by example in all areas of my life.  I am a supportive and encouraging teammate and a very coachable player.  I don't make excuses when I make mistakes and I don’t dwell on it but rather focus on making the next play better.  I not only give all I have in practice but I work extensively outside of practice to further develop my skills to become better at the sport I truly love.

I was a successful competitive gymnast for 12 years training 20-24hrs a week, with multiple State and Regional titles over my career.  My parents and coaches truly believe and have instilled in me that playing a sport is about more than great athleticism and skill but much more about life…being part of a team, accountability, dedication, hard work, and determination. After sustaining an injury that kept me from coming back to the sport I loved for so long, my parents pushed me to try some new sports. I had never picked up a volleyball, but after attending a 3 day camp the summer before my freshman year of high school, I found that spark for something I had been missing.

I played my first season of volleyball on my Freshman high school team where I ended the season being voted "Most Improved Player." I then played my first club season on a developmental team learning  more about technique and skills. During that season I was pulled up to play on the Championship team for several tournaments. My Sophomore year of high school volleyball was huge for me. I started off as an OH and DS who played all-around for our Junior Varsity team. Mid season I was called up to play Varsity. By the end of my sophomore season I was voted "Most Valuable Player" by my teammates and coaching staff. I continued to play another season of club where I had made a Championship team. The season was going well and then COVID happened. It pretty much ended things midseason immediately. Junior year Varsity season was hit and miss. Due to COVID restrictions or someone within the circle of our volleyball team having COVID, we were very lucky to have any type of season at all. With the little season we were fortunate enough to have, I was bestowed the 4A Grand Canyon All Region Honorable Mention.  

In my senior year Varsity season my high school team was able to take the Region title for the first time in 30 years, and make it to the the elite 8. Personally, it was a high honor to be named All-Region 1st Team, seeing as some of my teammate have played this sports twice as long as I have.

Volleyball has given me a passion I thought I had lost forever after leaving gymnastics.  I am not scared of hard work and I have found a successful balance between family, sports, and academics.

My love for volleyball is undeniable.  I know it takes hard work, dedication, and passion to be successful at the next level.  I believe I would be a great asset to any program and I would love an opportunity to show all I have to offer.