Alyson Knaak '22 Recruiting Profile

Family. That is what I value most when it comes to sports, especially soccer. I've been playing with the same group of girls since I was 12 and they're more than just my teammates. Over the years, they've become more and more like sisters to me than ever, they're my bonus family. When my coach first started coaching the girls varsity team a couple years back, she established a motto for us girls to play by, "I've got your back". It was then up to us girls to enforce it and ensure that both, on and off the field, we had one another. Ever since then, I've made sure to never lose sight of that, no matter what team I played for or who my teammates/coaches were. I will continue to carry along that motto with me as I continue with my soccer career. Because family is not linked by blood, but by heart.

Besides soccer, I also play basketball. I played JV basketball in both 8th and 9th grade, and 10th grade I was moved up to varsity, with some pretty big shoes to fill. I was not always the most confident in my ability to play the sport, mostly because I am my biggest critic. My coach had complete faith in me, telling me that he expects great things and for me to step up as a leader. It was a scary thought, being held to such high expectations when I already couldn't reach my own expectations. But being who I am, I never backed down from a challenge. As the season got further along, the more I grew confident and started stepping up as a team leader, leading by example. I started putting in extra work to improve not only my own individual skills, but as well as my leadership skills. I believe that has been exhibited not only throughout basketball, but soccer.

Lastly, I work for everything I earn. Being pulled up as a freshman for varsity soccer was pretty nerve racking, knowing how much competition it is at that level for playing time. But one thing about me, I thrive off of competition. I came into that season with all the determination in the world to earn a starting position and that's exactly what I did. The past 3 years I have continued to push myself, even on the days I have little motivation, and have earned my position as a starting outside back.