Tyler Strickler '26 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Tyler, and I started playing volleyball in 9th grade, although my aspirations to play began in 7th grade. It was the first time I felt both physically and intellectually challenged, testing my durability and integrity.

Starting out later than others was more difficult than it may appear. I initially learned to play with a group of girls who had the opportunity to play in school, which I had not. It was nothing more than peppering with them.

I then attended a summer camp held by a school, where I learned about a club named Mavs. Although it was far, it was at least within the state of Kansas. It was my first time trying out for any sport, so when I received the letter that I made the "1's" team that year, I was ecstatic, jumping up and down in my mother’s room. It felt like the first time I was truly proud of myself.

Outside of volleyball, I struggled to meet my expectations in school. It wasn’t because my grades weren’t good; I just never felt educationally challenged, which led me to explore different activities like joining the Chess Club, becoming an Ambassador, and KAY club member becoming later an officer “secretary“ and managing the girls' Varsity volleyball team.

During my first season, I learned significantly more from my coach than I could have on my own. It taught me that while I may not be a master in anything, I can quickly learn anything I set my mind to, whether it takes seconds or days, depending on the activity. Consequently, I strive not just to meet my coach’s expectations but to surpass them and reach my own higher standards.

Thank you,

Cordially, Tyler Strickler.