Lia Simanski '23 Recruiting Profile

     Hello, my name is Lia Simanski and I am currently a junior at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High school. My love for volleyball developed at a young age. I can remember winning the championship with my 6th grade team, and knowing right then and there that this is what I wanted to do. From that day forward I have pushed myself to get better and better. However, things took a turn during my sophomore year. COVID hit the United States hard and this set my team back. We didn't have a coach, we didn't have much of a preseason, and COVID kept disrupting throughout the season. However, that didn't stand in our way of making it to our conference championship. After spending half our season with parents as our coaches, it was finally our moment. Sadly, we didn’t get the outcome we hoped for. Looking back on that day, I think it shaped me for the better rather than the worse. I didn’t see it as a bad thing, rather a chance to come back next season and do better. For me it was a learning moment. I spent the next summer pushing myself every day to get better. Now in my junior season, my goals remain the same. To win the Laurel Highlands conference, then District 6, and finish with winning a State Championship.

     Over the summer I’ve worked hard by enrolling myself in sports training, camps, clinics, and summer leagues. I have developed my skills in passing, serving, hitting, setting, and so many more. I am prepared to try any positions and try new techniques to make myself better. While developing my skills I haven't only developed physically, but also mentally. My teammates on both my highschool team and my club team have made me see the importance of leadership, teamwork, and being coachable. They have taught me to always challenge myself to be the hardest working person in the room no matter what I am doing. Whether I am on or off the court, I try my best to display those attributes. Trying my best to be a team player no matter if I am having my best day or having an off day. To contribute to the team with not just my skills, but my fun, bubbly personality.

     While volleyball is very important to me, my academics are also one of my top priorities. I believe that I am able to balance my academics and my athletics very well. I also make sure that I continue to push myself in school taking AP classes along with college classes that provide me with college credit. My academics are also pushing me to one of my goals in life, to graduate college with a degree and pursue a career in something I love. Even though it’s going to be hard, I am prepared to put in the work to achieve my goals both academically and athletically.

    When looking back on my future goals, I have already seen successful accomplishments. During this current high school year, my high school team was able to win the District 6 Class 1A Championship. We worked so hard each and every day to make that goal a reality. I was also able to see personal growth within myself, achieving 1st team All District selection. Even though now this season is over, I plan to continue to work my hardest for my club season, and I plan to work towards achieving even more next year!