Personal Statement
Personal Statement for Anna Hanowski
It is crazy to think that I am only 15 years old and I have been playing volleyball for 7 years. Following in the footsteps of my big sister, who was a pin hitter in club ball and high school, I became interested in volleyball in 3rd grade. My Dad had me in as many sports as possible like swimming, soccer, karate, dance, track and more. I gave all these other sports a try and volleyball is what I truly love to play.
Fifth grade was the first time I was on a club team. I was on a 12’s team and that was when everyone was figuring out their positions. I often went to my older sister’s games and tournaments and had lots of respect for the girls that were Setters. So, I wanted to try that position. In my career so far, I’ve had some successes at that position and with my teams. For example, in my middle school teams, I was a starter and we never lost a game in the two years I played (school record)! While playing in a club tournament in Atlanta (Big South), I tried out for the USA HP program and made a spot on a training team that went to Colorado. I’ll never forget how nervous my Dad looked as he put his 12-year-old daughter on a plane by herself to train with the other HP kids in Colorado Springs! It was a great experience and I loved the high intensity of the coaches and other HP athletes.
Volleyball has taught me many lessons throughout my career. One of the biggest things I have learned is that it is okay not to be the best. When I went to Colorado Springs for the USA HP program there were many amazing volleyball players from all over the country. When I watch strong players it gives me motivation to be better than I was the day before.
I played Setter not only in middle school but during my club ball with the Coastal River Valley Juniors. That was, until this current season when the coaches thought I would make a good hitter as I had a growth spurt and got taller. I was the starting Outside Hitter on my club team in the past season. I like the challenge of it and to learn a different position. I like being able to play in different positions and develop my skills.
I’m currently in 9th grade and I am attending Blacksburg High School. I made the JV volleyball team in early August and school season recently ended in late October. I started as an Outside hitter for my school team in this past season. It was a great experience and learned many different skills during school season. I recently just started training with my travel team (16 nationals). I am looking forward to working with my amazing teammates and coaches to improve and get better throughout this season. I plan on being a hitter again but I am always open for options and will step in wherever I am needed. I think that having past experience with setting and hitting helps me find a spot wherever I am most needed.
I’ve just starting to look at different colleges, but I know that it is still four years away. Though I’m new to NCSA, it has been interesting to look at different college options and think about where I might like to go. My plan for the next few years is to continue to train and work hard to get better. I would like to spend some time over the next few summers at different college camps to get a better idea of what schools I might want to focus on and to meet different college coaches that might want to work with me. I think I’m a coachable athlete and always try to improve. I enjoy being on the volleyball court and you’ll usually see me with a smile on my face because I’m having fun.
Anna : )
