Grace Lorch '22 Recruiting Profile

Let’s start with the basics:  I live in Manhattan with my mom, dad, and younger sister, Christine.  I’ve been playing club volleyball for five years. When I’m not playing volleyball, I like to spend my time playing music. I play the piano, ukulele, and trumpet, and I love to sing. I would say that my life is pretty normal, except for the fact that Christine has Down Syndrome. My family is very lucky because Christine is a high-functioning, talented girl, but I would be lying if I said that she didn’t have a major impact on my life. She has taught me to have compassion, patience, and a greater appreciation for life, which I have carried over to volleyball. 

I have always had a deep passion for sports, but it took me several years to realize that volleyball was the sport for me. I tampered with gymnastics and softball, and I even committed myself to six years of competitive swimming before discovering my love for volleyball.  Within my first few months of playing volleyball, my interest in the sport turned into a full-blown obsession. I play all year round with my school, club, and summer teams. I have become stronger physically and mentally since I started playing volleyball. 

Volleyball has taught me lessons that no other sport has taught me. I have learned all about communication, accountability, and, perhaps most important, positivity. I used to dwell on my mistakes, but volleyball has taught me to remember the past and focus on what lies ahead. I know it sounds cliche, but as I have developed as a person while developing as a setter.

My goal going into college is not only to play volleyball but to go to a school with an outstanding education. I have achieved high academic success and am very academically driven, so I want to be able to balance volleyball and my studies. I plan on pursuing a career in finance and economics, or STEM. My value for education carries over to volleyball too. I am always willing to learn and grow, so I am open to feedback of any kind.  In addition, I have learned the value of accountability, hard work, responsibility, and even teamwork by focusing on my studies, and they are very important on the court. I hope this gave you the chance to learn more about me, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.