Tessa Brandstater '14 Recruiting Profile

Hi my name is Tessa Brandstater – I am a 6’1” left handed opposite/outside hitter.  I was captain and MVP of Maranatha High School's varsity team in Pasadena CA. I ended my season with my hitting % at .337& kill % at 48.7. I am working daily with a trainer in addition to my club training so that I can reach my goal of jumping 10'.

2013 SUMMER: I played on the SCVA High Performance Team and I also attended camps at Pepperdine, Westmont, La Verne, Cal Baptist and Vanguard and loved every minute of it! 

I am very passionate about volleyball and have been playing since I was ten. I have a very strong desire to play college volleyball and I have started looking for a school that will be a great fit for me. Along with three years of varsity volleyball, I have also lettered in two other sports – basketball and equestrian. I have represented my junior high and high school while competing in the Saddleseat and Western School League of Greater LA. Last year my team placed number one and we won the High Point School Trophy for MHS. I am President of the Equestrian Club, a member of the Ambassador Club, the Adventure Club and treasurer of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at my school. Just recently I was chosen as one of the Sierra Madre Rose Float Asso. Princesses and attended over 20 speaking engagements last month - I also rode on the City of Sierra Madre's float on New Year's day! Although I spend much of my free time volunteering (church, school and community) and have always played two varsity sports at the same time, I have been able to steadily increase my grades each year. For both of my junior and senior years I have qualified for CSF – California Scholarship Federation. Last semester I achieved a 3.72 GPA and am a member of the National Honors Society. My GPA right now in my final semester is a 3.8.

I have a competitive spirit, positive attitude, and strong work ethic. I have been told that I am very coachable and play with a lot of enthusiasm. I am a hard worker both on and off the court, and I would be a positive asset to any team. 

Academically, athletically and spiritually I believe I am a good roll model for my peers. I enjoy volunteering my time to help others – while on the court during summer volleyball camps or on a school mission trip to Nicaragua. I am looking at Communication Disorders/Speech Pathology for my major and I want to continue learning ASL (American Sign Language) so that I may work with deaf children.

The following is a recommendation from my high school counselor - Gary Ho:

"In the past year, I have gotten to know Tessa Brandstater as a kind and diligent individual. Since she transferred from Alverno to Maranatha High School, Tessa has performed very well academically and has found a nice niche of friends. Tessa has worked extremely hard in her classes and currently sports a 3.5 unweighted GPA at Maranatha High School. Tessa is one of Maranatha’s top volleyball players. She started playing volleyball at the age of 10 and is currently being recruited by various colleges across the nation. She played on undefeated and league championship teams at Alverno High, and she helped lead the Maranatha team to the second round of CIF during her junior year. She also competes on a club volleyball team that takes up to 20 hours a week. In addition, Tessa has been competing in the sport of equestrian since the age of 11. She has been a part of her school’s equestrian team all four years of high school and won Maranatha’s school trophy for equestrian from the SWSL during her junior year. Tessa is very athletic, gifted, and talented. She demonstrates strong leadership skills and she communicates well with others. One has to look no further than how quickly she has adjusted to a new school environment after she transferred to Maranatha. She is very sociable and well-liked amongst her peers. As she pursues higher education, she is looking for a school that will help her grow academically, emotionally, and athletically. She looks to use her education and skills to impact her community. Her hard-working nature leaves no doubt in my mind that she will succeed whatever she decides to pursue."