Ethan Frank '25 Recruiting Profile

From an early age, I have been immersed in the world of sports, thanks to the unwavering support and encouragement of my parents, who instilled in me the importance of a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. Despite facing challenges as a young child, including undergoing physical therapy to help me become stronger(for example, as a child I was unable to eat much food due to weak muscle tone), I developed an unyielding determination to succeed. Recognizing that I may not have been the biggest or strongest, I understood that to compete with my peers, I needed to put in extra effort. My journey began with volleyball in the 6th grade, but when COVID-19 disrupted my plans, I explored other hobbies like running and weight lifting. It was during my freshman year of high school, I attended summer clinics at Madison Elite and discovered my passion for volleyball. Although initially behind my teammates, I refused to let that hold me back. To get up to speed I watched youtube videos on how to perfect my form and practiced approaches in my living room and it eventually lead to getting up at 4:15 to go to the gym. Once tryouts came around I was offered a middle position on the Madison Elite 1 16u team. From that point on, my unwavering commitment and ability to learn continuously opened doors for me, leading me to achievements such as participating in two USA all-star championships, securing a top 20 finish at nationals, placing 3rd at Sand Badger region champs, and even contributing to the establishment of our high school volleyball program. My journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of dedication, persistence, and passion for sports.

I have been good at embracing failure as a natural part of my journey to success. 

After my first USA all-star tournament on Badger, I decided to make a significant change in my volleyball journey by switching positions from middle to outside. Determined to improve my skills, I dedicated the entire fall season to intense training in preparation for tryouts. However, fate had other plans for me. During a critical moment at one of the pre-tryout clinics in Madison, I went up for a hit, but the blocker's unfortunate landing under the net resulted in a devastating injury – I broke three pieces of my ankle. Despite this setback, my strong connections with coaches I had worked with before came to my aid, and I was offered a middle position on the highly competitive MVC Sydney 16u team. The only catch was the arduous hour-and-a-half drive each way to practices, which often led to me arriving home late at night, leaving me with little choice but to tackle my homework in the early morning hours. Nevertheless, the hard work and dedication of the team paid off, as MVC Sydney achieved an impressive 19th-place finish at nationals.

While I continued my personal volleyball journey, I also dedicated myself to making a difference in my community. For the past three years, I've tirelessly emailed the school board and offered my assistance to the girls' volleyball program to establish a men's volleyball program at our high school. Finally, in the winter of last year, our collective efforts bore fruit, and the men's volleyball program became a reality. I was honored to be chosen to help select the coach, design jerseys and gear, and lead open gyms for the new team. Witnessing the growth of volleyball in my community and contributing to its development has taught me valuable lessons in patience and hard work, which will undoubtedly stay with me as I continue to pursue my passion for the sport and strive to make a positive impact on those around me.

As I reflect on my volleyball journey and the challenges and triumphs I've experienced along the way, one thing remains certain: I may not know what lies ahead, but my passion for the sport and my desire to compete at the collegiate level burn brightly within me. As I pursue this dream, I am not only seeking a program that will help develop my volleyball skills but also one that will nurture and shape me as an individual, setting me up for success in all aspects of my life. I am eager to find a collegiate program that values not only athletic excellence but also personal growth, leadership, and character development. With an open mind and a determination to keep learning, I am ready to embrace the unknown and discover the path that will lead me to a fulfilling future in both volleyball and life beyond the court. Will you be that program?