Ryan Skinner '23 Recruiting Profile

My high school journey was a rough one. I wasn't able to play any sports in 9th and 10th grade due to covid. We were allowed to return to school in my 11th-grade year.  I tried many sports, such as wrestling, bowling, and basketball and the one I've grown most attached to is volleyball. The 11th grade was the first time I even tried to play volleyball, and the summer after 10th grade was the first time I ever touched a volleyball. I was hooked immediately and I started playing and practicing every day during gym. I even became a manager for the girl's volleyball team to help them work on their skills while also doing stats, scoreboard, and line for the team. In March boys' volleyball tryouts started and I was nervous. I have always been athletic because I played sports ever since I was little. There were so many other people that I began to question if I made the team. The next day when we found out who made the and I made it. I then devoted myself to volleyball working nonstop on getting better at receiving and serving as well as spiking. I played basketball all my life and I have a pretty high jump. During practice, everyone told me that when I jump I stay in the air for a long time. My coach allowed me to play the outside hitter position. After the first few games and many more practices. I was awarded the position of co-captain of the team. It's a major accomplishment for me and all my hard work paid off.  I usually play the whole game and give it my all no matter what. We finished our season 8-2 and moved on to the playoffs, where we, unfortunately, lost the first game against newcomers. I finished fourth in kills and in the top ten for blocks and aces in my division. As someone who only just started playing volleyball a few months before, I think I achieved a lot.  I showed myself and others that you don't have to have talent and or play for a long long time to achieve success and as long as you try your hardest anything is possible.