Ashley Siegel '22 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing volleyball since I was 10 years old in elementary school. When I first started playing, there wasn't a team at my school. I went to a public elementary school, so we had to have me play volleyball at a small Catholic school. I didn't think much of it, because I felt out of place. When I got to middle school there was a team at my school. I was the only one there who had any experience so I was instantly named the best player. Since I was "the best" I became the captain, and leader for like the next 3 years. I quickly learned to love the sport so much. I thought I was going to be done with volleyball after middle school, but then one day I went to lincoln and watched a varsity game. That was the day that I decided I was going to keep going with it. I decided I wanted to continue transferring to libero, after seeing the amazing libero and players on Lincoln varsity, and that I want to play in college. That day changed my whole life. Now, volleyball is my favorite thing to do. My competitiveness and passion for the sport always shows on the court. I have been known throughout my past teams to be the "stud" the one who never gives up, and always tries her best. I played all around outside hitter for three years then transformed into a libero last year. I think since I was playing back row as well as front row the whole time, it helped me with my passing, and now passing is my favorite thing to do. There is nothing better than the feeling you get when you dig a perfect pass. I look forward to every practice or tournament I have. My freshman year of high school I made the JV team out of 3 teams at Lincoln High school. I started as a libero every game during that season, and towards the end, I practiced with the varsity team, I didn’t play with them, but I was the only freshman pulled up from JV to practice with them.  Volleyball is my absolute love, and I hope I can continue to pursue it throughout my upcoming years. 

The first sport I really remember doing was soccer. I was very good at it, for an elementary school kid, and have always been very athletic. Sports are my absolute favorite thing. There is just something about the rush of adrenaline you get. The next sport I really remember being very interested in is gymnastics. Gymnastics takes a lot of work. I think that when I started volleyball, I brought some of my gymnastic skills to it. I have been known to have really fast reflexes and get the weirdest saves. I am also a very competitive player and absolutely my own worst critique. I always think I can do better. I push myself harder and harder each game. I don't ever give up, even if we are down 15 to 24, I still believe we can win. My competitiveness has always pushed me to try harder. I take all the possible opportunities to get better. Lucky for me, I have very supportive parents who help me continue to get better with private lessons, or camps. I also go to open gyms and play beach the whole summer. Beach volleyball is absolutely wonderful. It is such a nice feeling to fall into the sand getting a ball. Being on volleyball teams teach me so many real-life lessons. To play in a team sport, you need to know how to be a leader. You have to be able to help your teammates when they are down, you need to try and cheer them up. 

I am interested in fulfilling a future in the business world. There is something so satisfying to me about all aspects of business. In my finance class, every time I get something right, for example in the taxes unit, I get such a good feeling. I have also always had a mind for marketing. I would see commercials on tv and tell my family what they did right, and what they could have done better. I love making up ads, and when I was younger I would make ads for why I should be able to get something. I also am a very good communicator. If I am in an interview, I can find something in common and just talk about it. I am a very good people person.