Samantha Parker '20 Recruiting Profile

Things you can measure with a tape measure: wood, table, window. Things that can not be measured by a tape measure: Heart, Determination, Hard work.  Hi, my name's Samantha (Sami) and I am now a senior at Lawrence County High school. I first became interested in volleyball after years of growing up around the sport because of my sister.  Now I wouldn't say I liked the sport at first, to be honest I actually hated it for the longest time because I had to sit hours upon hours waiting on my sister's practices to be over.  By the time I was in 6th grade, that's when something miraculous happened; my hate, became my passion. I started out with travel volleyball with Level Elite Sports. Throughout my first year of travel ball and my 7th and 8th grade years, I was the starting setter for my team, soon to realize my main love was to really get down and dirty and become a libero. I ended both my 7th and 8th grade years as my team's libero.

As for my junior varsity season (9th Grade) , I was the starting libero and ended that season as a defensive player for the varsity team at the Regionals and State tournament, which we finished in the top 4. As for the year after, in 2017, my team and I fought all the way to the State Championship only to finish as State Runner-Up, each year leaving even more motivation and determination. For my club seasons, over the years I've gotten to go play in places like Kansas City, Missouri, the Atlanta Big South Tournament and many other big tournaments including 3 years of AAU in Orlando, working and becoming a better player each time. As for the past travel season, I was chosen  to help defensively for United's National 17s team and go compete in Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. Overall, each season went pretty well in its own way, leaving room for more improvement and urge to become the best that I can be.  

Individually, on my 1st year of varsity (sophomore year), I was selected for the All-County Team and finished the season with a team high  492 digs and 80 aces.  My Junior year I was  selected to the  All-Area Team, County Honorable Mention  and selected Second Team All-State and led my team once again in digs recording 548 digs improving on my previous season. I was changing and becoming a better player even when I didn't see it. Lastly,  as I finished my junior year, I was selected and honored to be apart of the Alabama North and South All-Star Team over the summer. The experience and friends overall made it better even though the results weren't what we anticipated. My Senior year began with the determination to leave everything out there on the court and be proud of not only the season, but also of myself. I finished the season with a team high 619 digs and 124 Aces  surpassing my previous two years, which brought my three year total for digs to over 1650 digs.  (1st Team All-Area, 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-State)