Isabella Carmichael '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Isabella Carmichael and I love the game of volleyball. I started playing volleyball at 8 years old and by the age of 13, I started playing club volleyball at Sports Performance. At the time, I did not realize the level of intensity and commitment it would require playing club. However, the love of the sport helped me quickly overcome the initial shock. I soon realized that all the hard-work and discipline it took to play at a high level was worth it and I was also having fun!

I enjoy the team nature of volleyball and how we all must work together to be successful. I am by nature a quiet person but when I get on the court, I am a leader. I play with passion and focus and notice that my team feeds off my intensity. I don’t get in my head even when we’re down and I notice that this helps my teammates to also remain steady and focused. I am the sort of person that if we’re down 10- 20, I know we can come back and win the match—and we have done it! My physical and mental strength has helped me as a team captain. 

I have had some key moments that have defined me as a player. One such moment was when I was moved from the top elite team as middle blocker to the third best team as an outside hitter. My club director explained that the team was struggling and needed an outside hitter. I was sad to leave the elite team, but I made the decision to embrace the unknown and show up to my new team with a positive attitude and high level of commitment. I quickly gelled with the team and was able to make an immediate impact. That was the year I fell in love with being an outside / right-side hitter. I hope to bring the same level of positivity, flexibility and teamwork to my college experience. 

Another highlight of my volleyball career was making the JV team in my freshman year, skipping over two freshman teams and a sophomore team at a very competitive high school. The coach explained that she was reluctant to place Freshman on Varsity. That year, I was the starting hitter on the JV team at Neuqua Valley High School and lead the team to an impressive record. Although the girls on the team were all Juniors, they respected my ability as a hitter, and I was able to lean on their experience and knowledge as upperclassman.  

Entering my senior year of High School, I can honestly say that my experience playing varsity high school volleyball and club volleyball have taught me discipline, resilience and teamwork. I understand the benefits of being coachable—something my coaches have always complimented me on. Balancing academics and volleyball helped me to develop a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence that will follow me to college.  

My goal is to find a college that will challenge me academically and athletically. I hope to major in Graphic Design and minor in English. I love to write and hope to one day publish a novel. My work ethic in the classroom and on the court have prepared me well for college. I am super excited about finding a college where I can show up at my best and make a lasting contribution.