Nolah Walton '25 Recruiting Profile

When you see something on television, something in your mind or consciousness also assumes you can do that, like hitting a ball at 60 mph, jump serving, or even accomplishing a perfect setter dump. I watched a volleyball match in the living room with my dad, intrigued by what was going on, not expecting to witness my first setter dump. It was precise and calculated, going at a very slow but intentional speed, landing in 3, barely passing the middle blocker's foot. At that moment, I stood up and declared, "I want to play volleyball and be a setter." It wasn't because of the setter dump. It was because of the look on the crowd's faces after it occurred. You could hear the loud cheers even through the television. From that moment forward, without knowing anything about volleyball, I attended every conditioning and every open gym in hopes that when I tried out, I would be good enough to make the team. But at the time, I couldn't serve or pass well, and setting was out of the question. Tryouts came, and unfortunately, I didn't make it. I was crushed and wanted to give up, but I didn't. I kept working hard, increasing my practice time, and always staying positive before I knew it. Freshman tryouts came, and I made it! It was the highlight of all my hard work and goals, but that wasn't what made me today. I was the girl rejected the first time and still tried again even though I knew nothing about volleyball. I am the girl who put in sweat and tears to accomplish my goals. That's the kind of volleyball player I am, the one who never gives up, tries her very best, and still gets back up after failing 1,000 times.