Shannon Ferrell '25 Recruiting Profile

I think I have many personal qualities that support my athleticism.  They include, leadership, communication, loyalty and passion. I’ve learned to build these character skills growing up because of my family situation. When I was 4, my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. This was very hard on me and my family.  For the first couple of years, I didn’t really have anything to help me through that rough time. However, once I started playing volleyball, it became an outlet for me to cope with what I was going through and allowed me to focus on something that I love and care about. Going through this situation has also led me to become very determined and strong mentally and physically. I care a lot about my health and self-care which has led me to become an even better athlete.

Growing up I was surrounded by sports. My dad played multiple sports when he was younger including ice hockey at the college level, and my mom has always been very active in recreational sports. My brother also played high level club, high school, and college basketball so it gave me an introduction into the life of an student athlete. I think being a part of an athletic family has helped me a lot throughout my journey. I have a strong support system behind me which makes me want to achieve my goals of being the best player and teammate I can be. Although that creates a certain amount of pressure, I feel like I thrive under pressure which allows me to push my boundaries, helping me become a better player on the court.

I started playing volleyball in 6^th grade and tried out and made my first club team in 7^th grade. Ever since then, I fell in love with the sport. I was a starting freshman on my Providence High School varsity team and became a team captain my sophomore year for both indoor and beach volleyball. I think being a captain has taught me a lot about leadership and it has also helped me teach others. I have also been a team captain on multiple club teams, which has also been a huge honor and great responsibility. My love of volleyball and desire to be the best I can be has allowed me to develop my skill set so that I am confident and strong as a pin and also as a middle.  I have also developed my other skills such as serve recieve, digs, passing and setting. This all around skill set allows my coach to play me wherever I am needed, and it has also allowed me to start to develop my beach volleyball skills. I am currently 1/2 of  the number one beach volleyball pair/team for my high school.  We had a record of 15 - 1 and were invited to the CIF-SS Beach Volleyball Individual Pairs Playoffs.

I’m very interested in criminology as I look to continue my student athlete career in college. My mom was always interested in criminology and I like crime shows which I believe is something I picked up from her. In a way, I think the mindset of a criminologist, being a quick thinker, and always looking for a solution or answers fits the mindset of a volleyball player. I also enjoy learning in all different aspects which is leading me to sustain a 3.5 GPA in high school which is something I look to continue when I make it to college. Playing volleyball has taught me so much and has set me up for life. It has given me a different perspective on a lot of different things. I can’t wait to continue my athletic and academic career and through this, can’t wait to see how I grow as a person and an athlete. As I continue to grow, I will always keep my family and friends and coaches close to me, as they are the ones who helped get me here.