Tess Connolly '16 Recruiting Profile

Committed to Iona Summer 2014, signed LOI November 2015

2014 Nationals - 16 USA division, 2nd place gold, named to tournament team

I really enjoy playing volleyball, and I would like to continue playing volleyball in college.  I learned a lot watching my brother, Sean, go through this process and end up at Kansas for football.  I want to find the right fit for me.

I currently play outside and six rotations, but I have been a middle, a setter, and a right in the past.  My high school coach and two of my JO coaches told me that, if I was not such a good hitter, they would move me to setter because I have very good hands.  Because I can play all of the positions, it makes me a better and more valuable player on my teams.  It also helps me when I play sand volleyball, and I hope to play several beach tournaments this year.

Lake Catholic High School has a very strong volleyball program, and I am proud to say that I have been a starter for both of my years.  This year, I will play JO for CVC Black 16.  This is my second year at the 16 level since I played up last year on a very good team that won two tournaments and went to Dallas.  While I enjoyed the great competition playing up, several coaches said they wanted to see me play at my own age group.  This CVC team went to Dallas last year, and I hope to make the team even better this year.  We have a lot of fun together, so I know it will be a good year.

Education is very important to me, and I will be looking for the best combination of athletics and academics.  I believe that education and volleyball will prepare me to be very successful in life.  I know that the relationships that I build through volleyball will last for the rest of my life, and I look forward to having lots of fun on the court with my teammates.