Meilani Calcutt '21 Recruiting Profile

As an explosive 5'7" outside hitter,  I play for the Wildcat Juniors VBC in aspirations of being able to play at the highest division possible and major in dentistry. Even though I am a little shorter than other hitters, my 28" vertical makes up for it. Currently in 9th grade, I challenge myself daily to improve my skills in high school.  As a freshman, I made the Junior Varsity team at Loyola Academy High School as a starting outside hitter that plays all around. I was also chosen by my coach to be the  JV floor captain. I have been playing since I was in 4th grade at a local club named Energy VBC.  I just recently finished my club season playing on the highest 14u team at Wildcat Juniors Volleyball Club. I hope to improve and achieve one of my main goals, which is to play college volleyball. Although athletics are a huge part of my life, academics are very important to me. I strive to maintain all A's and have had a 4.0 GPA since the beginning of middle school. After recently finishing my second season at Wildcat Juniors, I feel I have improved greatly from the coaching, athletic performance training, and private sessions. My 14u Wildcat Jrs Elite Black team played in the top 14u division, 14 Open, at the 2017 AAU Nationals in Orlando, and finished in 25th place. 

This being my first year in high school, I am still continuing to increase my vertical, and I will play my freshman year as a starting outside that plays all around. I do know that I will eventually have to become a libero/DS because of my height. Currently, I am playing mostly as an outside and sometimes as a libero, but I do play all around which gives me more experience in the back row. My coaches and teammates rely on me as a leader. 

Even though I am only in 9th grade, I do have many goals I hope to achieve in my many years of volleyball to come. Some of my goals include playing for Varsity after my freshman year, or little things such as increasing my vertical and agility. In college, I know will most likely be playing as a libero or defensive specialist because of my height. My quickness and knowledge of the game has made my defense and back row presence one of my strongest assets.