Anika Anderson '17 Recruiting Profile

I can easily say that volleyball is my life and my passion. It has molded me as a person and a player, on and off the court. Ever since I became involved with the sport I have been a fitness enthusiast, not just in volleyball, but in many other activities as well. Volleyball has encouraged me to become the best athlete I can be outside of the volleyball court. I decided to join a beach volleyball club to improve my agility, vertical, and endurance. I participate in cross fit as well as strength and agility training in school and on my own personal time. I even went as far as joining my school’s wrestling team to stay in shape and to try something new. To me, volleyball is more than just a sport, it’s a source of personal and school pride, a way to stay in shape, and it keeps me feeling confident in myself. I am able to develop friendships that last and stay out of trouble because, honestly, I have no time for trouble, and what time I do have I devote it to becoming a better person and athlete.

  I want to continue my volleyball career into college for numerous reasons. Volleyball provides a circle of instant friends that would help me fit in to my college quicker. Volleyball is an excellent stress reliever and a study break that will be vital in the challenging academic atmosphere.  I am a strict follower of the label “student-athlete,” my primary goal is academics and pursuing a career in wildlife management, but playing volleyball is a close second.

Throughout my middle and high school volleyball career coaches have repeatedly said how “coachable” I am and how flexible with positions I am. I am very open to criticism, I am never one to contribute to team “drama” and, in fact, I tend to bridge the gap between disparate team cliques to bring everyone together as a team. 

Volleyball is so much more than just a sport to me. It is a way of life. It is a plan. And if I follow the plan volleyball has set out for me, I will move onto better things and become the best person I can be in all aspects of life.