Karla Perez '22 Recruiting Profile

Playing volleyball was more like a process for me. I started playing in 9th grade, obviously on the JV team, and I was determined to get better. Being active has always been a part of me, but when I started to play volleyball, something had just clicked. I looked at other teammates and saw how much better they were than me. I became determined and almost everyday I would be outside doing drills and peppering with mom or even by myself. During the summer I practiced everyday and made sure to stay active. My school had open gym on Fridays and I would go to play basketball with other teammates that were both on the volleyball and basketball team with me. I went to every open gym they had (except one day) and after it was over at 9, I would go to the other school gym and practice volleyball. My determination drove me to being on the Varsity team the following year. I still wanted to and want to be better. I strive for a goal that gets closer everyday as I train harder and more often. 

 However, I will always have my academics as a priority. Even with distance learning, I make sure my siblings and I are on top of our schoolwork. I always had straight A's and B's and even got in the same math class with my older brother.  My parents have worked ever since they were 19, so their future family could have almost everything they wanted. They have taught me to be humble, forgiving, considerate, and to work hard. They also taught me important things from our religion. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I learned to love everyone, self-sufficiency, and to be an all around good person. With parents working, I become like the second mom and make sure there is order in the house. Being the second mom has practically been my job ever since I had a little brother. This made me the mom of two older siblings as well who shouldn't really need me to be it, but they did. This experience has helped me to care for others, help others achieve what is needed, and the trait of independence. 

 Nonetheless, the dedication, determination, grind, and hustle hasn't stopped! I still push myself to be better and hopefully in the near future, join a club team that still fits our household income. I also aspire to play at a collegiate level and fulfill my dream of being in the medical field.