Gracie Eckles '23 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Gracie Eckles and I’m sixteen-years-old. I currently attend Texas Tech University K-12 for high school, so I go to school from my classroom in my home. I’m also privileged to attend Carlsbad High School as a player on the Varsity Volleyball Team. Many of the towns in southeast New Mexico are small, so we do a lot of travelling during the season. I’m interested in going to college to study physical therapy and play volleyball. I’ve played volleyball since the third grade and have been fortunate to have some amazing coaches. I’ve played on nationally ranked teams and I’ve also played on teams where we lost every one of our games until the thirteenth one. I am grateful to say that I have had the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and gain many experiences while playing this sport. I have met some amazing girls and have become friends with them while being fierce competitors on the court.

In 2017, I was faced with an overnight adversity which has shaped who I am today as a player and a person. It was Hurricane Harvey. The traumatic experience happened when I was only twelve years old. My house flooded, and we had no choice other than to evacuate. We were rescued by a boat and had to go through a lake which had been a regular street. What I didn’t know at the time, was the lessons I learned would influence my life and teach me things that would impact me as an individual on the court. I learned that I should never take things for granted and anything can be taken away from me in a matter of seconds. I now walk on the volleyball court knowing I have a huge privilege to do so. After the event, I realized that hard work and dedication would be needed to stay on top of my schoolwork and volleyball.

Another important lesson I learned is to be generous and a friend to others. I had just joined a new volleyball club in a different town. I was unknown to these girls and their families; however, none of that mattered to them. They stepped up to feed us, helped us clean, and even helped us rebuild our home. Other lessons I learned, was the trust it takes to work as a team, to make quick and informed decisions, to listen closely and follow directions, to be open to new suggestions and to accept help from others. Hurricane Harvey had a huge impact on my life and changed me for the better. It has taught me lessons that I will forever hold dear to my heart and take with me wherever I go. Everyone can go through difficulties whether they are on the volleyball court, school, or in a career; but I know in the end I will learn lessons and grow into a better person.