Madelaine Ryan '19 Recruiting Profile

 The best colleges are looking for Scholar-Athletes. I think I am an excellent one and am really interested in finding the right college environment for me that represents the best mix of academics and athletics. I attend Lakeside School in Seattle, a very selective and highly ranked high school, and I work very hard at both academics and volleyball. As a freshman, I was the starting setter for the varsity team and we came in sixth place in the State Championships. At the beginning of my sophomore year, we were determined to better what we had accomplished last year.  Throughout the regular season, we worked hard, strategized and gelled as a team.  The outcome:  We won the Washington State 3A Championship.  It was incredibly exciting to set a goal and then meet that goal.  I even earned All-State Tournament team honors as one of two setters. 

 In High School and playing a varsity sport, I have learned a lot about what volleyball really means to me. Right from the beginning, I had to manage my school work to make sure I was able to fit volleyball into my schedule. This taught me how volleyball can really help me with my education. Through the rigor of volleyball, I was able to learn such things as: leadership skills, team work, and the importance of communication. These skills augment my already great love of the sport.

 I attend a very competitive and well know high school, and I am very interested in finding this same type of environment in college to pursue my interest in Math and Biology and other STEM fields. Academics as well as volleyball are very important to me. I hope to go to a top academic university that will help further my education while affording me the opportunity to continue playing volleyball in a competitive environment as well.

 I work very hard in school to maintain a high GPA.  This requires that I focus on the tasks at hand to be able to do the work necessary and still play volleyball.  I use this focus on the court, to play well, stay tough and help my teammates do the same.  I’m a leader by nature, and being the setter on the team allows me to help the team perform up to its highest potential.    

 The three words that best describe me are: intelligent, positive and competitive.