Christiana DuBose '16 Recruiting Profile

I was raised by my mother, who literally did everything she could to provide for me: She worked extremely hard to juggle her full-time job, her life at home (me as an infant/child), and going to school to get her bachelor's degree. Unintentionally, she taught me to put 110% into everything that I do, whether it's school or friends or other activities. I've learned that, when you give all you have into something, there will be nothing but rewards in return. 

I became interested in volleyball when I was in the 8th grade. At the time, I was running track, but the community gym was having a sort of "open gym" for volleyball every Tuesday and Thursday, and I wanted to go. After attending the practice for a week, I found myself looking forward to those days, even more than I would look forward to track practice. So when I got to high school, I tried out for my high school team and landed a spot on the JV team. I played on JV for my Freshman and Sophomore years. 

Before playing in high school and participating in various camps and clinics at nearby colleges, I always thought that I was good at any sport that I played. However, I learned quickly that I needed to open up to being taught a sport that I knew nothing about. From then on, I've constantly been looking for new ways to improve my skills. Coaches that have been involved in my growth as a player always tell me how much they enjoy coaching someone who is so willing to learn. After I joined Varsity on my high school team, my coach came up to me once and told me how coachability is a skill that can make or break an athlete's chance at success and that my willingness to learn is what sets me apart from other players. I've also been told that I always bring and transfer an exciting type of energy to those around me, which is crucial in game-type situations. 

Before entering high school, I was always in advanced classes, so when I found out my high school had a program that forced its students to take certain AP classes and honors classes, I jumped at the chance. Before I graduate, I want to take at least 7 AP classes, including U.S. Government, Microeconomics, World History, English Language and Composition, Environmental Science, Psychology, and Comparative Government. I've always liked English and reading, so I plan to at least minor in English. I also enjoy helping others with their problems, so becoming a type of counselor and majoring in Psychology is also a goal for me in college.