Olivia Grates '18 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in a small town, made me a hard worker. I learned to fight for what I want, and being a starting member of my volleyball team in the 8th grade was one thing that I worked very hard for. I practiced endlessly. When I was a freshman my coach moved me to libero, because my height and jumping ability hadn't caught up with my speed and digging ability. I became one of the best liberos in our league, and got MIP. The summer before my sophomore year, I went to SVSU volleyball camp, that season I came back and became the stating outside hitter for my team. I grew three inches and my vertical went to 18 inches. That year, my team and I won District Championship, League Championship, and went to Regional Finals. I also was awarded Honorable Mention All Conference This year, I again started as an outside hitter, but I play full rotation, and became Team Captain. We won Districts again, became the first team in Caseville School History to be undefeated in League play, and went to regional semi-finals. I was awarded second team All Conference, and honorable Mention in the Sports Thumb Coach Association. All the hard work that I put into the sport I loved paid off. I hope it continues too. While competing and working in athletics, I competed in Varsity Basketball, Varsity Softball, was elected Class President for the 3rd year in a row, became a member of the Student Council, continued to volunteer through my efforts of the National Honor Society, be a member of the Prom Committee, bump my GPA average up to 3.95, and took Honors physics and AP English. I am an active member on the yearbook committee, and the school newspaper. Although it is stressful to maintain all that I do, it taught me hard work ethic, and to hold on to the things that amke you happy. Volleyball is what makes me more happy than anything else. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me.