Ali Jansen '19 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing volleyball for years, but I first fell in love with the sport in sixth grade on Cathedral Chapel Middle School's team. I was taken to a UCLA vs. USC volleyball game that was so intense, it inspired me to get better and better.  Ever since then, I strove to become the best player I could possibly be. I have been team captain throughout almost all of my seasons, winning awards such as Most Valued Player. After my first loss, I realized that volleyball would be my passion for the rest of my life.  My dream is to one day obtain a college degree and play on my school's highest-level team. To get there, I realize that I have to work very hard in academics as well as in volleyball. 

I workout and train everyday in different ways, even when I do not have practice, I practice setting to myself and/or the wall, reaction drills with tennis balls, and simple workout to strengthen my core, arms, and rest of my body. I believe that with the help of a coach and teammates as dedicated as I am will help me become the player I want to be for myself, my parents, my teammates, and my coach.

My skills are not limited to the court. I score above average in state tests and am almost always in the 99th percentile. Although there is always room for improvement, I study hard and try my best to get the scores needed to get me into a good University. I hope to attend a school that cares about my skills academically as well as physically.

I have been told that I am a pleasure to coach and have been asked by school as well as club coaches to come help with other teams while I am off season, simply because they enjoy my presence on and off the court. I tend to get along with my teammates very easily- helping them grow as players and people. I am easy to work with, listen very well to directions, and learn very fast. 

One of my strengths as a player will always be my mental state when put into a competitive situation. Whether or not we are up in points, I continue to fight and play with blood, sweat, and tears. I tend to be hard on myself, though I don't see this as a flaw. I see it as a pro to having me play for your team because I will always put my one hundred percent effort in a game, practice, or workout.

As of this year, I will have played for five consecutive years of volleyball and plan to compete for as long as possible in both club and school. I started at a young age as a setter, when my coach realized I had a skill for hitting as well. I then played as an outside hitter for about 3 seasons before my current season at LAVA South's 17 Adidas team. I was discovered to be a skilled passer and loved diving and running all around to save every single ball. I now play as a Libero and/or Defensive Specialist with significant play time in every game.

I look forward to becoming an asset for a very experienced and skilled team to further my career in volleyball.