Personal Statement
" Everything Matters, leave a legacy" and "Family, school, Volleyball...in that order, these are our priorities, each day."
My name is Jillian Dolman, I am now 15 years old, and the phrases above are the values I represent every day as a member of the Walter Panas HS Varsity Girls Volleyball Team. I began learning these expectations as a 7th grader on the Junior Varsity team. As an 8th grader I made the Varsity Team as a setter and had an incredible experience when we won the 2016 NY State Class A Championships!
This year has been even more exciting for me on and off the court. I began my life as a HS student and my academic course load includes Honors Math, Honors Science, Honors English and AP Social Studies. I am also continuing to study flute and be an active part of our HS Band. On the court I began my fourth year on Varsity as a setter. In late October I was pulled into the starting rotation as a setter and had the amazing experience of being part of the starting line up that won the NY State Class A championships for the second year in a row! I received All League and HM All Conference honors for the first time and even a Senate Proclamation for the team's achievement. These experiences and memories are something I could never have achieved without the support of my family and living our team mantra of believing that everything matters. We have definitely started to leave a legacy for girl's sports in our community too!
I continue to play on a National Level travel club team, Downstate Volleyball Juniors and have been part of this club since 11 yrs of age. I am enrolled in a private strength and conditioning program, Massi Machado NY and I have regular private and semi private sessions with a setting coach. I have learned to balance my sports and training schedules with my academics, maintained a place on the honor roll for every quarter in Middle School as well as the current HS period while taking Honors classes in English, Math, and Science. I plan to continue on the honors pathway and take AP coursework when I reach the appropriate year in HS.
I would love to attend a College or University on the east coast but travel with my club team has made me realize that there are many areas in the country I could find myself happy and successful. Division 1, 2 or 3, I will be happy to be able to play the game that I love while studying science and possibly focusing on a goal of medical school in the future.
I feel like I could be a great asset to a team because I am perseverant, driven, and committed to being the best I can be for my team every time I am on the court. I work very hard on my own to be certain that I give the team everything I can. I will practice and play to the best of my ability all the time. In volleyball, it is critical to help each other in order to achieve a common goal of winning. I have learned through volleyball that I am a great team player and that I am ready and willing to be what my team needs at any moment. I have also learned that who I am and the energy or presence I share with my team is as important off the court, on the sidelines, as it is on the court. Most of all I have learned that being a leader, being supportive, being kind and generous with my time and my talents, and being certain to always represent the values that are important to me is something I take seriously in all aspects of my life... family, school, and volleyball.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me! I am looking forward to learning about the different schools, programs and opportunities that are out there and reaching my ultimate goal.....playing the sport I love at the next level!
Jillian
