Carolina Ruiz '16 Recruiting Profile

The score is 23-24.We are down by one and Im up to serve. The pressure is all on me as my eyes focus on the target with no fear. I breathe and I serve the ball. The next two hours there is no roomfor fear, for doubt, or even second guesses. My heart beats as one with my team and the ball is the moving target that defines the moment. Like everything I tend to experience in life, I go in head first. I never doubt that I will achieve and even if everything does not turn out as I dreamed it, there is value in the lesson, so I still call it success. I was a quirky fifth grader looking for something to do and then there was this one day, this one moment in time that took me in and changed me forever.The very first time I watched a volleyball game. It was at FIU and I was hooked. I practiced till my forearm was swollen and my veins were popping, but I couldn't get enough. This was the first time I felt strong and free and I knew this was for life. I look at my sport and I see me, I see resilience, and never ending possibility.My parents always taught me to fight for what I believe in and to give all of myself to the things that are important to me. I dream big, work hard, and never take anything for granted, so every experience is a gift. I unwrapped this box at an early age and before I knew it, it became who I am