Grace Smiley '20 Recruiting Profile

    I walk up to sub in, waiting for my teammate to high five me as we switch out on the volleyball court. The sound of the crowd goes away and I focus on my setter giving me signals for the play.  I look at my opponent on the other side of the net that I have to block.  This is where I feel empowered, strong and confident.  Playing volleyball has built this confidence and determination in me so that I am able to approach most things in my life with this same outlook.  I wasn’t always like this.

    I first tried out for club volleyball when I was 9 years old.  I had played local CYC volleyball for 3 years and I loved it.  What I didn’t love was being with unfamiliar people in large crowds.  I was so excited to try out for Rockwood Thunder Volleyball Club and be able to play competitively; I was nervous to be in a strange gym with over a hundred people I didn’t know.  I was crying and scared and asked my mom to promise to not leave the gym while we were there.

    Currently, I play for Rockwood Thunder 15U Navy Team.  This past weekend we were in Philadelphia (I had never been there before).  My mom drops me off at the front doors of a large downtown hotel.  My coach had sent a text message about where our team was meeting.  I hopped out of the car, told mom I would see her in our room after she checked us in and I met with my coach and team.  The frightened little girl who was almost too afraid to walk into the unfamiliar gym to try out was long gone.  I leisurely walked into the hotel in a large strange city and navigated myself to find my team.  This is the certainty and determination that has grown in me since beginning to play volleyball.  This is the confidence and courage that I learned on the court and bring to the court each time I play.  The lessons I have learned on the court are now part of my everyday life.  I approach my school work with the same focus and determination.