Ethan Dickson '22 Recruiting Profile

Up until 8th grade, I was homeschooled, and therefore had plenty of time for extracurricular activities. I pursued music, horse back riding, a 4-H Club, taking positions of leadership in youth group, and other many of which I still do today. But none of these activities gave me the joy that volleyball has since I started playing competitively in 8th grade. Going a few days without practice, such as during a weekend, I feel restless and an urgency to get back in the gym. I've learned to utilize local parks, my personal volleyball net, and my front yard to work on my own skills while at home. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country and my school season and consecutively my club summer season were ended, I only waited a couple weeks before organizing grass meetups and some beach practices for my own improvement and that of my teammates. I also dedicated time to my jump float and top spin jump serves, after noticing a need for improvement in my serving. I have given these details to show my dedication and love for the sport. I have known very few others who will go to such great lengths to improve while at practice and outside of organized practices.

I learned good academic habits from a young age, and learned not to be content with anything but the best scores. Because of this, I can be confident that I will be able to balance academics with athletics in college without extra stress or late nights, which will allow me to be focused and well rested in practice and matches. 

I've done everything possible to increase my own volleyball IQ, and to understand the complexities of the game. I watch professional indoor volleyball matches and NCAA matches multiple times a week, and have noticed and committed to memory many aspects of the professional game that I can apply to my own playing, such as arm swing technique from the USA team. I also joined the online USAV High Performance academy in 2020, which was a month of live zoom calls with coaches, players, sports psychologists, dietitians, sleep doctors, etc., to improve my volleyball IQ and athletic eating habits and health. 

When it comes to playing the sport I love, I stop at nothing, and I make no compromises. I will give maximum effort every minute I am on the court, and apply any leisure time to my improvement as well. This is why I believe I can be a successful student athlete at the college level.