Personal Statement
I have been a Red Shirt Freshman for Old Dominion University during the 2019-2020 academic year. I enjoyed being a four year starter for the Jefferson Forest high school volleyball program. This past year our team Won the Seminole District Championship. I was honored to receive Player of the Year and 1st Team District, Region and State acknowledgments. I have played every "at the net" position and this was my first season ever playing as an outside hitter. I regularly had a kill % of over 40%, I learned so much and I absolutely loved every minute. Blocking is also one of my favorite things to do! I also enjoy when an opposing team finds out that even though I'm over 6'foot, I can get to the ground & dig up and pass the ball well. Check out my footage on my player page https://sites.google.com/view/sarahshantonvolleyball to see for yourself my love of the game! I really enjoy working for each play, my relentless GRIT, reaction time and court sense helps me never give up. When I'm not on the indoor court, I'm probably playing Beach volleyball and if I'm not in the Sand, then I'm working out, running, hiking, or hammocking. I work at our local Kroger Grocery store as a cashier, in season and out of season (bc for me..there is no off of season:). I also love making healthy food, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and traveling. I have a rigorous class schedule with several AP and College credit classes. Most of my years I have played soccer and was a goalkeeper for the US Region 1 Olympic development program. Two years in a row I was honored to be selected to go to National Camp in Arizona. During my years playing soccer at the highest levels all over the country, I had some of the best College Soccer Coaches in the Nation and they have prepared me to be the Athlete I am today. Though I grew up in the soccer world, About 3 years ago I fell in love with volleyball. The energy, the speed of the game, the teams, the people, the environment, the "everything". I love helping others reach their personal goals on and off the court. I was blessed to work with children both in Jamaica and Tanzania, this summer I am traveling to Romania to be a camp counselor for 2 weeks. Serving others in these ways has been absolutely life-changing. I hope to offer wellness instruction and education abroad as a result of my College degree. I enjoy bonding with everyone and love being an encouragement. These qualities and my history as a high-level athlete while in high school, make me an excellent asset as a College student-athlete.
