Janie Marie Messer '21 Recruiting Profile

    I am a 5’9” Junior outside hitter/defensive specialist on the Smiths Station High School Varsity team. On my 2018/2019 Colavol club team, I was the starting outside hitter. The previous club season, I was the starting middle hitter.  My club team lost a few members, one of them being our middle hitter, so I stepped up to help the team and became a middle hitter. Previously, I was a setter.  I really enjoyed learning all of these positions. So far, I have played four years at the school level and have completed three years of club level volleyball.  I have been a starter each season.  Volleyball became interesting to me during my 5^th grade year.  I started an Anti-Bullying program at my school and was invited to interview Georgia Tech football players on bullying.  During my visit to the campus, the students that escorted me everywhere were volleyball players.  They encouraged me to try the sport and spoke about how competitive and fulfilling it is.  At that time, I had only played soccer.  I tried out for the Junior High volleyball team and found my passion!

    My club team finished 3rd at Regionals this year and finished 1st at Regionals the previous year. We belong to the Southeastern region and I am excited with our high finishes each year. 

    In addition to volleyball, I am very involved in my youth group at church, Student Council, FCA, and National Beta Club. School is very important to me and I am currently ranked 8th in my class. During my Junior High years, I received the Principal's award for best all-around female student.  By playing volleyball, I have learned that there is no limit to your skill level.  You can always improve in your footwork, your passing, and, really, all aspects of the game.  I enjoy the dedication it takes to play the sport and to consistently improve.  

    My goal for college is to play volleyball and graduate with honors with a degree in the field I am interested in.