Malia Baker '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Malia Baker and I’m currently a Sophomore at Clovis High School. I have been playing volleyball since the 6th grade and I couldn't see myself playing any other sport. Every year my love for this sport and my eagerness to improve grows. I am always looking to improve, no matter how hard I have to work.  When I was in 5^th grade, I remember going to my sister's club volleyball tournament, watching her play and thinking how fun it looked to compete and be a part of a team like that. After that weekend, I constantly asked my dad to teach me and practice with me outside in our cul-de-sac, playing until my arms turned bright red. I was determined to get better and be ready for the next club season tryouts. Making the top team in my first year of playing club volleyball was so exciting, and I loved being a part of a team, practicing, and improving every day. 

Through volleyball, I have learned a lot about myself as a person and have also made many of the wonderful friends I have today. I feel that I have always been very athletic, earning long jump district champion in 6^th grade track, and starting on the middle school varsity volleyball team in 7^th and 8^th grade and the high school varsity volleyball team as a Freshman and Sophomore. Just as I am hard-working on the court, I am also very hard-working in the classroom. My academic goals for the future are to maintain at least a 4.0 GPA in high school and to expand my education in college, most likely in a science or medical field. 

I think what separates me from others on the court is my ability to adapt to feedback from my coaches and to maintain a high spirit, even when we are losing. When I am on the court, I am not only looking to play my best personally, but I am also looking to play the best I can for my team. Volleyball has taught me to challenge myself and others, set goals, and to embrace discomfort. I am excited to continue to learn and grow on and off the court and continue my journey into college!