Personal Statement
I fell in love with volleyball the first time I stepped onto the court in the 7th grade. Prior to then, I believed soccer to be my athletic calling and believed myself to be a fiercely competitive midfielder. Once I felt that excitement and passion on the volleyball court, there was no looking back. I am always working to improve - whether it is in team practice, private lessons, or additional workouts to get stronger and more explosive on the net. I strive to surround myself by like-minded individuals - those who challenge me and push me to be a better version of myself every single day, whether in the classroom or on the court. I have been blessed with some amazing teammates, coaches, and teachers who push me to never settle, never be satisfied, because there is always something to learn or another goal to crush.
Throughout my athletic career to date, I have proven myself to be a leader on the court, often serving as Captain of my team as well as of sound character, demonstrating integrity through my actions both on and off the court. Through training and experience, I have learned that mental toughness and court awareness are as intricate to the game as the physical aspects, and it is necessary to shake off mistakes and move on to the next point. Many of my teammates would say that following a mistake, I crave for another chance to touch the ball - whether to get that dig up in a great pass to my setter or get that next kill. I am a highly competitive individual - whether it be in the classroom, on the court, or in a simple and friendly family game. I come to compete and I will give it everything I have to come away with the win. I try to be a good teammate - the type of teammate that I would want to play alongside - encouraging my teammates to give their very best every time we are on the court, leading by example, and maintaining a positive attitude even when challenged.
I have been fortunate to experience some awesome successes in my first two years of high school volleyball. My freshman year, we competed in the State Tournament. While we lost to the soon-to-be State Champion in the semi-final round, the experience only fueled my passion for high level competition. My freshman season, I was awarded our district's Newcomer of the Year and received Academic All-District honors. My sophomore year, we were hungry to return to the State Tournament, but fell short in the Regional Quarterfinals round. While we did not get as far as we had hoped, we learned a lot and grew as a team. I was also afforded the opportunity to hone my leadership skills as a returning starter. My sophomore season, I was awarded our district's Offensive Most Valuable Player; Waco Tribune Herald's Super Centex, Second Team, Outside Hitter; Texas Sports Writers' Association All State Team, Honorable Mention, Outside Hitter; and Academic All-District honors. I also play basketball and have been a two year starter, serving as Captain and earning 2018-2019 district Newcomer of the Year and Academic All-District honors and 2019-2020 district Offensive Most Valuable Player and Academic All-District honors. I also compete in Track & Field, returning this season as a second year Varsity competitor. I am looking forward to what my junior and senior seasons may bring by way of competition and experience.
I currently play for Waco Juniors Volleyball Club, joining the 17 UA Nohe team this upcoming season. Our 2019/2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19 and I am hopeful for a competitive season this upcoming winter/spring.
I plan to major in Biology or Pre-Medicine and to continue my education through medical school following my undergraduate studies. I am currently enrolled in Advanced and Pre-AP courses and maintain a 4.0 GPA while being a multi-sport athlete. I am currently ranked 3rd out of 112 students in my sophomore class. I am interested in a highly academic program which will support my long term career goals while still affording me the opportunity to play volleyball at a highly competitive level.
Lastly, I enjoy time spent with family and friends. I enjoy serving others and volunteer through various programs each summer, most often associated with my church family. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to travel to Maua, Kenya where I served at the Maua Methodist Hospital, AIDS Orphan Home, and the Kingdom Builder Center. It was a fantastic 17 days, shaping my view of just how big this world really is, and I look forward to returning in the summer of 2021.
