Elizabeth (Lizzie) Poller '23 Recruiting Profile

I am a shooting guard from Platteville, WI and am in the graduating class of 2023. I started playing basketball in 5th grade for the Platteville Youth Basketball team. Throughout my years in middle school basketball, I have learned so many lessons that not only connect to the game of basketball, but to life. Growing up and participating in high school basketball, I have learned and am still learning so many more important things that are essentially making me a better player and person. I have realized that without basketball, I wouldn't be where I am today, whether that is academically, athletically, or just life in general. I realized that in order to reach such high goals, I need to work as hard as I can and harder than my opponents. Through our losses and my many mistakes I have made, I have become a better athlete because I push myself and put the time in. Putting the work in as an athlete has made me a better person overall and I am so happy I fell in love with the sport basketball.

My love for basketball has continued to grow and as it grows, the more competitive I get.  As my desire to reach the goals I set increases, the more I work and the more I push myself and my teammates to be the best we can be. Playing as a team, being a leader, and encouraging my teammates is something I believe is crucial in being successful. I believe I have a great work ethic that allows me to reach these goals. I tend to be hard on myself at times, but that is only because I want to be the best I can be and will never be satisfied. 

In high school, my team has had many successes, but we have also had many downfalls to learn from and use as motivation. Freshmen year, our team was fortunate to make it state, but it ended up getting cut short due to Covid. Sophomore year, we ended up loosing our conference game, which ended our season short. These obstacle that we had to overcome have me a better athlete and have pushed me to be the best I can be because I know not to take anything for granted. Sophomore year, I was also awarded All-Conference Honorable Mention. Junior year I was voted Offensive MVP and received 2nd Team All Conference. Although these are accomplishments I am proud of, I am always looking for bigger accomplishments and in order to do that, I will continue to put in the work in order to make myself a better athlete. Other than basketball, I also compete in cross country and track and field. Athletics are super important to me, but I also care a lot about my academics. Throughout high school, I have maintained academic high honors and intend to do so for the next year. In college, my goal is to study psychology/biopsychology or Pharmaceutical Science. I have big goals in college, one being I would like to obtain a doctorate degree. I know that if I stick to the mentality and work ethic that I have now, that I will be able to reach these high goals!