Alaina Pilas '25 Recruiting Profile

I grew up in Chicago Illinois and started playing travel volleyball a little bit later than others. I was introduced to the sport when I was 3 years old because my older sisters played it in grade school. I was always at the gym learning how to play the sport. I realized I was better than other when I got my overhand serve in second grade and people on my sisters team were still working on it. I became more interested in the sport and decided I wanted to play. I had to wait till 4th grade because that’s when you were old enough to play at my middle school. I became better and better each season. I would not only practice with mine and my sisters team but I would practice serves against the garage and practice digging while having my sister hit at me. In seventh grade I had a decision to make. I had to either quit gymnastics and play travel volleyball or stick with gymnastics. I choose to play travel volleyball because of the potential I had by it being a team sport instead of being an individual in gymnastics. I had a lot of work to do with strength control but once I got the hang out it I felt unstoppable. I started attending the high levels practices to get more reps in. Freshman year I made the freshman A team and won mvp for school volleyball. When travel season came along I got asked to play with my team along with the 18u team. I have been playing at an 18 u level for 4 season including being on varsity sophomore and junior year on my high school team. I also play beach in summer to keep my skill level up. I play travel softball and I workout out at the gym 2-3 times a week to built my strength. Being a player that is not 6 foot tall or taller , I realized I had to work harder and get my vertical higher if I wanted to stay an outside and be successful against taller opponents. When ever I step on the court I give it my 100% percent not only for myself but for my teammates. While on the court I strive do my best and do whatever I can to help my team win such as being an out issue all around, a defensive specialist, a libero, or even a setter. I have played every position and have stepped up whenever my coaches or teammates needed me to. I strive to do the best I can on the court or off the court especially with academics. Playing volleyball brings me genuine joy. Anytime I wasn’t feeling like myself I would pick up a volleyball and felt okay again. Volleyball isn’t like any of the other sports I have played. My favorite thing about volleyball is the energy on the court. I like to believe that the energy I give off is contagious. I am always the biggest cheerleader even on times when I am not on the court. My goal is to play college level volleyball and give it my all.