Jazlyn Bulatao '17 Recruiting Profile

This has been my passion and commitment for over 9 years. This passion has taught me so much and as I ho’opuka or emerge throughout the years, and this passion is volleyball. At first, it was just for fun but I decided to take my passion seriously and now play year-round on my varsity team for school and also for club where I’ve traveled around the world to places like California, Las Vegas, New Orleans, etc. Imagine a 9 year old trying to play volleyball, underhand serving then growing up into a teenager that is now looking for colleges, being able to jump float serve and top-spin serve.

This passion along with the sport has taught me so much as an individual and I grew from the situations I’ve been through. Volleyball taught me things like teamwork and how to work with others even in difficult situations, how important it is to communicate with others, or even to keep trying and never give up no matter how hard the situation gets. If I didn’t find a love and passion in volleyball I most likely wouldn’t be the person I have become today and wouldn’t have emerged and grew from the child I was before I started playing volleyball. I’ve learned so much from this sport and also the different teams and people I’ve played with throughout the years. I can use what I’ve learned and apply it to real-life situations.

Of course there are always situations and times we need to get through, like losses or having trouble working together with other players. “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.” I’m actually experiencing now while working that I can use skills and experiences I’ve learned through volleyball in life and work. For example at work I must work hard and be willing to learn new things along with working together with my co-workers to get the job done.  While I am growing up and moving along in life I am applying lessons and skills I learned through volleyball like working with others, leadership, skills, etc.  I’ve learned that even in life there are hard times and even some inflexible workers or teammates you have to work with and I can apply it to my everyday situations with dealing with others. Throughout the years I have come across different personalities and coaching styles and I have been able to adjust, which will be a great asset in life.

Throughout life I’ve learned a lot and volleyball became my oasis. If I had problems going on outside of volleyball, I had to learn to leave them off the court. It was a great way to get my mind off of my problems and just focus on the game. Along with volleyball being my passion, I get a lot out of it, and I hope to one day be able to play in college or even just continue playing. Also when I get older I want to be able to contribute my  time and become a coach for upcoming players. Something that also kept me going in school was my passion for volleyball because it forced me to keep my grades up if I wanted to play. Even though I like traveling, I like school ball because it’s a  different vibe and you get a chance to interact with different teammates along with playing against your friends from other schools.

“Winning doesn’t always mean getting first place, it means getting the best out of yourself.” I learned everyday is a new day, and you can always give your 110% in everything you do. No matter what you do, don’t give up because things will always get better and even if things don’t work on you’ll know you gave your all.

At the end of the day, you need to focus on you and do what makes you happy. I sometimes struggled with conditioning or certain drills, but I pushed myself to get through the rough times, and I’m determined to give 110% in everything I do. This passion along with memories will always help me get through challenging times in life whether it’s school, life, work, etc. During the day I play volleyball, during the night I dream volleyball, it’s one thing that has stuck with me while everything else around me was changing, volleyball is and will always be my biggest commitment.

I appreciate the sport and everything I’ve learned from it over the years.  I believe it has made me a stronger person and I’m prepared to face any challenge that may come my way.  I can’t expect to always win, but I will always do my best in any situation. I learned so much from the passion I love and pursue each and everyday. I learned that “if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” I always keep this quote in mind with my everyday choices along with now thinking about college and my plans for after high school. I can use this passion and love I have for this sport, knowing the thrillful feeling and applying it along with self-motivation to find myself and the path I plan to potentially seek.

The bright lights and screaming crowd is a feeling that will be an unforgettable moment . “If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don’t care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book were gonna be winners.” At the end of the day you can’t just go through the motions, put your all into everything you do each and everyday and no matter the outcome you know you tried your best. If you find your passion, you find yourself as well, embrace your passion.