Samantha Isleib '16 Recruiting Profile

My volleyball career started when I was in seventh grade, I did not know much about the sport, I just knew it seemed like it would be a lot of fun. Starting that year, I grew to love the sport, I learned so much over such a short amount of time, and I knew this is what I wanted to play for the rest of my life until I physically couldn't play anymore. I got playing time that year, my next season as an eighth grader, I was captain of my middle school team. My middle school coaches saw that spark in me, when I couldn't see it myself. Those years I did struggle because even though I was captain, most of my teammates brought me down, that was not enough to stop me from continuing where I wanted to be.

Entering into high school, it was a wake up call for me. The game and the level of skills I needed as a player, I had to push into overdrive. My freshman year I was on Junior Varsity as a starter, my sophomore year I moved up to varsity continuing to be on the Varsity Team for the rest of my high school years. My Sophomore year throughout my Junior of high school (2013-2015), I ran into some health problems, which at the time I was going through this I did not know the true diagnosis. I was able to play my Junior year season, but throughout that season I was still having problems with migraines. I still managed to fight through it and have a phenomenal season. After season had ended my health condition got worse, I was put out of school on Home Bound, I was out from February to June that school year. During that time period I was afraid I would not be able to go back to playing volleyball or doing the normal things a teenage should be doing. After some time, I went to countless number of doctors and was put through many tests within those few months. I finally was put on medication to control my migraines and after finding my blood pressure was lower than it should be, it was controlled. I soon found my energy, strength, and will to get my life back on track.

That July of 2015 I started workouts for my last season as a Senior in high school, I was determined to do anything I can and work as hard as I possible could to make it on to the next level. My last season playing at Harry S Truman, it was the best season I've ever had. I had amazing games, my team worked so hard, the last game I played with those girls, it was the hardest night of my life leaving them. I knew when and if I were moving on to college to play volleyball, I would always keep them with me and represent where I've came from. No matter how far I go in life, I'll never forget where I came from and where it all started.

In all my years of playing volleyball and being in school, I have had the love and support of my family. My biggest supporters are my parents, they have done everything in their power to help me get where I am today. Everything I do today, it's for them. Not many people in my family have gone to college or have always been on the right track, but that does not define the path I have to go. Some people have doubted me along the way of my journey going to school and playing volleyball, but I have proven those people wrong and I will continue to do that.