Samantha Swanson '19 Recruiting Profile

There is a famous quote from coach Vince Lambardi, “I am only one, but I am one, I cannot do everything, but I can do something, so what I can do I must do.”  I feel this way when I play the libero position, that what I can do I must do.  I have a job to do on the court and I must be successful because there is an entire group of people depending on me.  Not until recently did I realize how much I depend on volleyball to get me through daily life.  I’ve always been athletic and played lots of sports, but when I was in middle school my mom died from cancer and I had to focus my efforts, so volleyball became me solo sport.  It’s strange how volleyball has become the mechanism that gets me through the daily struggles that come my way.  I promised my mom that I would give my all to whatever I do, and volleyball is not just what I do, but what I love, not only as my sport, but my therapy, my escape and my measure of personal success. 

At a young age I had the pressure of helping my mom and her nurses when she was sick, also a part of my life quote; what I can do I must do, and that experience is why I want my future career to be in nursing.  My high school class selection focuses on as many math and science classes I can get as I hope to get an academic college scholarships form a nursing program,  then play volleyball for that college team.  I think I would be a good addition to a college sports program because I am a scholar-athlete where my coaches never have to worry about me not maintaining my grades.  This year our high school team made it to CIF playoffs during finals week and my GPA did not slide.  What I can do I must do and that even includes school work.  In addition, I care about my friends on the team and do my best to also help them with their work or whatever I can do.

Playing volleyball is something that I crave as not only my sport but my hobby.  I make an effort to play, practice or simply pepper with a friend, my sister or dad once a day.  Game days are my favorite part as every time I step on the court my heart races a little faster and then I find a special calm while in the game. A million things go running through my head all day long such taking care of my little sister, finals, homework, money, friends, and sometimes sadness, grief and loss and then the volleyball match starts and my thoughts free to a peace where I can focus just on the game. When I was younger I was on track to be an MMA black belt, play soccer, softball in addition to volleyball, but then when I started playing volleyball at the club level then moved into the libero spot, there was something calming about volleyball and from that point on volleyball has been my one sport.  When I play volleyball unlike any other sport I’ve done, I’m focused on the objective and let nothing distract me from reaching my goal to be the best player I can be.  Some people have criticized me for my intensity while on the court or how when I’m calling plays as setter or from the back row pumping up my teammates I am focused and intense; I am in the zone.  I love the game because to me volleyball is relaxing, fun, satisfying and therapeutic.  I hope this sport is a part of my life forever.