Isabella Siragusa '18 Recruiting Profile

I believe in my ability to play D-III or NAIA volleyball in spite of my height because I step up in other areas of the game and other aspects of my life. I strive to take as many honors and AP classes as possible offered at my school, volunteer consistently, and have great PSAT and PACT scores considering no preparation classes were involved. As a short volleyball player, I assumed I would be moved to the back row permanently once I reached high school; this was not the case. I was a right side during my 12's and 13's seasons, but my 14's coach played my as a right side for the first half of the season and introduced me to the middle. It was extremely intimidating, but I took on the challenge even though I was hitting around and attempting to block against girls many inches taller than me. I worked to increase my vertical, speed, and reaction time, which most tall middles do not have: their sole purpose is usually to block, and nothing else. Once I got to high school, I became the varsity starting middle hitter and played all-around, going middle back once I reached the back row. With this change, I expected to slowly transition to being only a back row player once the 15's club season started, but I was a middle once again. Even at the age of 16 I am a starting middle blocker for Excel 16 White/Witness at the height of 5'8" going at the net against players over 6'. This does not scare me or make me back down; rather, it makes my will to win and prove stereotypes built in people's heads wrong about how I will play. I will not be underestimated, and I wish college coaches will not, either. Because of my lack of physical attributes that would make me attractive to a recruiter, I am always focused on keeping my grades up and making up physically by jumping and being speedy on my feet, unlike other middles.