Evelyn Kilisi '27 Recruiting Profile

Talofa lava and Hello, my name is Evelyn Kilisi and I am 16 years of age. I am the oldest child of three and currently living in Hawaii. I am a sophomore attending Punahou School. I was born in Fayetteville, NC, and have been living in different States and countries due to my parents being in the military. I am from the Island of American Samoa. I enjoy sports, outdoor activities, reading, and traveling.

Sports, especially volleyball, have always played a big part of my life. Being an athlete taught me about hard work and dedication. I’ve learned to become better at something, you can't just sit around and wait for things to happen or come to you. It takes dedication and hard work to get better. I was never blessed with physical gifts, but I did put in extra work to make teams and be the best player I could be. To be a starter at my school or volleyball club, you had to earn it. This is in fact my team’s motto “always earned, never given”. Being an athlete required me to practice constantly, give 100 percent effort, and do extra training like going to the gym whenever I have free time.

I’m the type of athlete that always had to work hard to get better. Skills weren’t something I just inherited. I had to practice and work hard to become perfect. It took some time for me to become perfect in different positions, but I had to stay focused and trust the process. The phrase “Practice makes perfect” is reality. If I wanted to be the person who plays a critical part of a close game, I had to prove that I was willing to work hard and be dedicated to practicing my position. Being a student-athlete introduced me to teamwork. I’ve learned the importance of playing well with others. It takes teamwork to win and to play good in volleyball. Every member of the team serves a particular role, whether it be serving the ball or setting the ball. Everyone is important in the team.

I enjoy being a student-athlete. However, it can be difficult at times to balance schoolwork and practice. I had to step out of my comfort zone and work hard. It can be overwhelming at times. Balancing school, sports, and my social life is not easy. Overall, being an athlete taught me so many things. It taught me how to be a person with character. Hard work, balance, perseverance, and teamwork are just a few of the characteristics that made me the person that I'm proud to be. Participating in volleyball and other sports while being a student takes knowledge, patience, and most of all, heart. Being a student-athlete taught me how to love something that makes me a better person. It allowed me to participate in something that lifts my spirits and gives me as much as put into it. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to participate in sports that made me the person I am today.