Personal Statement
I work hard and do not shy away from taking risks to reach the next level athletically and academically. I have just returned from my gap year in Russia where I had the fantastic opportunity to play with OLIMP, one of the very best boys volleyball clubs in Moscow (and a High Performance feeders for the Russian Olympic team). This experience greatly increased my confidence on the court and outside of it, as living, studying, and playing volleyball in Russia presented many unforeseen challenges that I had to overcome by improving myself physically and mentally.
My time in Russia, together with a very strong and demanding academic program, both in Russia and in the United States, could not prepare me better for the challenges ahead of me as a college student and as a college volleyball player (training at the highest level, academic excellence, performance under pressure, adaptation to changing environments, need for organization to balance classes, training and games, constant learning and improvement). Having to constantly exhibit all of these qualities while in Russia was even more difficult, as I had to cope with the language and cultural difference, whether in the locker room, on the court or during social activities with my teammates.
I love the sport of volleyball for the joy it brings, for its team spirit, its sense of healthy competition, constant opportunity to improve, effort and reward. Volleyball is making me a better athlete, but also a better person, and I certainly hope to bring those athletic and personal qualities to my current and future teams.
