Personal Statement
Since I started playing volleyball several years ago, I have grown as a person and as an athlete. Volleyball has taught me on and off the court to be more patient, to persevere through the lulls in my progress, to be a positive leader, to overcome challenges with an optimistic frame of mind, and to keep a confident attitude regardless of the circumstances. In competitive volleyball, it’s common to see one’s peers as competition for a limited number of scholarships or to be more recognized in the volleyball pipeline. My philosophy as an athlete is to not put other athletes down, to be a good teammate by encouraging others to work hard as I demonstrate a determined work ethic, and to be a positive role model for those who are lacking confidence in their personal life or in their game. Each time I practice or play, I strive to be a better person and athlete than I was the day before. My competition is myself from the day before. If I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, I won’t stay focused on the path before me. I do the best I can to eliminate the distractions of jealousy and hone in on and strengthen the talent God has given me. I feel that this philosophy is a healthy approach and keeps me focused on the goals I have set for myself to be recruited to play at the collegiate level. I want my peers to succeed because it raises the level of play for everyone. We all benefit when we are all playing at our best levels. I don’t believe success is finite. I believe success is an ever-growing pie and there is plenty of it to go around. I want to be part of a college program where the team is a brotherhood and everyone is pulling for each other. Even though I am only a sophomore in high school right now, I believe that I possess the foundation of a mentally and physically strong athlete. I am a good teammate, I am a coachable athlete, and I work hard to be the best player I can possibly be every day.
