Jayden Xiong '23 Recruiting Profile

     Volleyball is a sport that I've been dedicated to since I was in 3rd grade.  I'm a player that strives to be like those players who are strong all around. I have been very fortunate to have been playing club for six years, and hopefully on until I start my college journey.  My strengths in volleyball can be attributed to having learned a variety of different skills from different positions.  I have played starting setter and hitter through my first two club seasons and middle schools.  I've been named team captain four times, and won three MVPs for both 7th and 8th varsity, and MVP as voted by my teammates in the junior year of Varsity High School.  In my third club year, I was asked to play Libero during a tournament even though I was the starting setter for the club season.  Libero is a position that I didn't find interest in at first, but learned to love it now knowing how important the position's role is.  I am constantly studying strategies, and scouting other teams learning from other girls on how to better my game.  My strengths in the court are; ball control, game awareness, serves and desire to win.   

    I was good enough to make it onto the 17 National team (Open Division) for VVA (Valley Volleyball Academy Club) this 2021-2022 Club Season.  I am re-united with Coach Rudy Barajas who is a Volunteer Assistant Coach with Fresno State Women's Volleyball.   This season will be my sixth Club season and sixth school season.  I have made it my personal aim to strive for and to reach for the very highest level.  I want to see how good I might someday be.  I want to see my limits and I have decided to embrace the student athlete mindset, as this will help me transition to playing in college.  I am very easy going and competitive in nature, but I value team success more than individual success.  I've been on a championship team, having won regional and a club season of 38-4.  I've also been on losing teams, and I definitely understand how hard it is to reach the top and the sacrifices a team must make to win.  I have and continue to help my teammates through emotional support and teaching as well when I can.   Many teammates have asked me for advice on and off the court throughout the years.  It means a lot for me when teammates can trust me enough to come to me for advice.

    I work really hard to get good grades.  My parents believe in pushing me and my siblings to get the best grades available.  I love volleyball and playing competitive volleyball, but I understand that getting a good education will help me in my life.   Please follow me on my Instagram @jaydens.vball for all of my highlights.  I will create a YouTube channel and also upload games and highlights in the near future.