Matthew Franz '21 Recruiting Profile

I started playing volleyball in sixth grade and continued through eighth grade. My school team struggled due to lack of experience and I started looking for a more challenging way to improve my game. In eighth grade I started playing club for Vanguard. I found that the club level was so much different than the school level. I tried out and mad the Gold team for the 14s division. I struggled a bit at the beggining adjusting to the tempo of the game, but by the first tournament I started to get a hang of the game. I started at middle during this season because my coach realized I could jump. I have always been a jumper in track and field so blocking came a bit natural to me. My team had its ups and downs and we finished thirteenth in the club division in the  Boys Junior National Championship Columbus 2017. We just missed getting a bid. During my 15s season I also made the gold team. My team had 4 middles including me and in the first tournement i found my self with little playing time. Athough this mad me upset, I did not let it bring down the team. Instead I  used it as an opportunity to grow. My coach offered me to try out for the right side/ opposite position. Well I was a bit hesitant at first I accepted his offer. During the next few tournaments I was the third choice for this position but my coach graciously gave me some opportunities to play in the second set. he told me that I was not a bad player but the others had more experience in this position. I really wanted to start so I worked even harder at practice and at home. At one tournament my team was really struggling so my coach subbed me in. Even being on the bench I brought my team up and my coach noticed this. I used this opportunity to show my coach what I could do. I was able to score a few quick points which helped bring my team up and we ended up winning the match. My coach then looked to me whenever we were down to help my team. I am proud to say my coach has called me a game changer multiple times.  My school does not have a men's team. I would like to continue my volleyball experience into college. I am willing to work hard to reach my goals and I will do everything I can to earn a place on a team. My team can always count on me to bring the energy out when I play. I work hard in school as well and I am proud to call myself a student athlete. I currently want to dual major in Biochemistry and Political Science on a pre-med track.