Eleni Balourdos '17 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing volleyball for several years and one thing that has never wavered is my desire to play volleyball at the Division 1 collegiate level.  From the moment I touched a volleyball for the first time, I immediately knew that this is what I was meant to do.  Since then I have worked very hard and have continued to improve my skills and grow as a student athlete.  My freshman year, not only was I the starting setter on Varsity running a 5-1 offense, but after a successful season, I was honored with the 2013 First Team All Conference Award which is extremely difficult for a freshman to receive.  During my Sophomore year I was elected Team Captain on Varsity and once again was the starting setter running a 5-1 offense and proved to have all the components necessary to run a team.  
My coaches have told me that I'm extremely coachable, athletic and have great court sense & maturity for someone my age.  I don't just play the game.  I'm strategic, aggressive and run the offense with precision and intelligence.  In addition to my role as a setter, I also have a very strong service game, which is key in excelling when a game situation is tight.  I am a player that always performs well and stays focused under pressure.  I worked diligently on my off season to improve on my quick feet and athleticism and focused greatly on delivering great location to the pins, even in out of system situations.  In light of all my capabilities, I was brought up to be the starting setter for the top 18 Black Wildcat Juniors Club team for the 2015 season as a sophomore.
Finally, being the daughter of a past Division 1 football athlete who played in the Big Ten, I fully understand the commitment necessary both academically and physically to excel at the collegiate level.