Audrey Riley '19 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement - Audrey Riley (2019)

Since the first time I touched a volleyball, I was hooked on the game. The fascinating part for me is working as a team and how important the mental game is for the success.

During one season of my first few years playing club under the same coach, I had to sit on the bench a lot because my team members brought the better game. That time on the bench made me the more determined to develop into a great player and being a solid foundation to the team. I took every opportunity to participate in clinics, camps and took private lessons to improve myself. Ever since that year, I was starting for my team and played all around in various positions, was chosen Captain unanimously by team mates and coaches and became well accepted as a leader and role model.

My coaches always referred to me as very athletic, extremely coachable and flexible. My High School coaches commented that I contributed greatly to the success of our freshmen team of 2015, which finished undefeated in our division. I was presented with a leadership award, as well as awards for achieving most aces and most assists on the team. My current club coaches presented to me the Tournament MVP Award after our team won the Tulsa Attack Tournament in 2016 to honor not only my contributions to the team's success, but also my ability to work through my mistakes and turn them into successful game and pull the team together.

I love the setter position as it comes with a great responsibility and the opportunity to play at the center of the game. But the game of volleyball means so much to me that I will play in any position a coach will put me in. This current club season, I am mainly playing in the Middle position due to my vertical jump, hitting and blocking capabilities.

My goal is to go to college to pursue a degree in biology/animal science and later to go into the field of animal behavior/psychology or veterinary medicine. But I also want to contribute my skills to a great college volleyball team, even if it means that my college education will take longer.

Therefore, I am looking for a college with a great volleyball program and strong academic level in the field of my choice. It is more important to me to be part of a great team than focusing on what division the team is playing in.