Daphne Hanzak '22 Recruiting Profile

My collegiate goals include keeping a 3.5, or higher, GPA, making the dean’s list each semester, completing an internship, finding a well-paying job, creating a strong resume, & learning to budget money wisely.  My dream would be to play both beach and indoor volleyball in college.  I’m very hardworking & persistent on & off the court.  No matter what the case is I’ll try my hardest & do my best.  Learning new things can be stressful for me but that pushes me even more to accomplish that goal.

I also know the importance of being conditioned & staying in shape.  When it comes to sports like Beach and Indoor Volleyball that includes fast-paced rallies, quick pivoting and changing directions, & for me, constant jumping.  I know stamina plays a large role in how well I perform.  Also, when it comes to working out, I actually enjoy it.  It doesn’t feel like work or something I “have” to do.  During the COVID pandemic while I couldn't attend school or summer workouts, I worked out daily most weeks on my own using Beachbody programs.  I also played beach volleyball, which I absolutely love!  I had played beach volleyball before at summer camps, but never on a team.  When my travel team had to shut down my coach, Carlos Mendoza, got me into playing beach.  At first I just did it to stay in shape and get better at indoor volleyball, but I am hooked on it now.  

I’ve been an athlete since a fairly young age.  I began competitive swimming at the age of 8, but started swimming several years before then.  I qualified & competed in several state swim meets when I was younger.  Switching from an individual sport like Swimming to a team sport like Volleyball, was very difficult.  As a swimmer I only used to worry about myself, my attitude, & my progress.  Now attitude & mentality on the court are very important to me.  I enjoy encouraging my teammates & lifting them up.  Being on a team, it’s your responsibility as a leader, to make sure your teammates are mentally alright, and that everyone shakes off that last bad play & is ready to kill the next.  It isn’t just about you anymore.  Being a positive force on the team is a great asset to have.