Tessa Cunningham '15 Recruiting Profile

I have a true passion for the sport of volleyball that began when I first started playing at the age of 11 in a local club.  Because of my passion and desire to play at the collegiate level, I have committed myself to working hard off the court as well as on the court.  I work with a personal trainer on lifting and agility.  Ryan Lovstad (Iowa State Univ. graduate in Sports Science) has helped me improve my vertical jump 5" in the past year and my explosion bursts have improved by 3 seconds!  I have also taken private lessons with Iowa State Univ. former starter Kelsey Petersen for 2 years.  Kelsey has keyed on the technical parts of my game and I have improved in all areas with her support and help.  Kelsey has also helped my understand what it means to be a collegiate athlete and the level of commitment that is required.  I am very proud of my improvements and that my hard work off the court has transferred to success on the court.

I have always been told by my coaches that I am very coachable and eager to learn to improve my game.  Coaches have told me that they like me on their teams because I am a very versatile player.   I believe in the teams I am on and love the relationships that are formed and the successes we have had because we understand what it means to be a team and play together.  I strive to be a leader for my teams and encourage all teammates to bring their best onto the court through positive support.

I give back by renting gym space and helping younger girls who aspire to play in high school and on clubs with their technique and skills on the court.  I like doing this because it reinforces my love for the sport, being able to share what others have taught me in order to be successful.

It is my goal to attend a college with a physical education and kinesiology sports science program that will guide me to becoming a Physical Education Instructor at the high school level.  It is my goal to also coach volleyball at the high school level and to coach younger girls to become leaders in the sport either through club play or private instruction.  I would also like to teach students about sports training / exercise programs and nutrition in order to form lifelong habits that create a well balanced healthy lifestyle that they can maintain their entire life.

For fun in the off season I play sand volleyball.  This keeps my skills on track and is a great work out.  I love the action of two on two.  I also spend time with my family and friends camping, kayaking, bicycling and just hanging out.  I have taken guitar lessons for three years for acoustic and electric guitar which I play to wind down my days in the evening.