Keeley Meka '22 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Keeley Meka, and I am a junior at Palm Desert High School. I have had a passion for volleyball ever since I began playing in 7th grade. I was a dancer for a number of years beforehand and my mom said I was going to have to work really hard to catch up to those that have been playing for years if I was going to even come close to making the freshman team in high school. When I first started, I couldn't serve it over the net, but that didn't stop me.  My mom would spend hours with me playing and working on my volleyball skills. By the time my freshman high school tryouts came around, not only did I make the team, but I made the varsity team my freshman year, and I earned a spot on my volleyball club's highest level team that same year. Even after making these top teams, I have continued to seek out extra opportunities to enhance my skills through participating in beach volleyball, attending skill clinics and private lessons on the weekends. 

2019 season: My high school team took 1st place in league, and we made it to the semifinals in CIF division 5. We earned a bid for the state tournament and were seeded 14th. As the underdogs, we had nothing to lose. We played all of our games on the road and made it to the state semifinals and were the runner ups for Southern California division 3. 2020 was going to be our year for our team to bring home the first state title for volleyball  in the school's history.

2020 season: Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, my high school team did not have the opportunity to try to repeat what we had done the previous year and to have a chance to try for the state title. With everything shut down in my county since last March, I have done what I could to keep playing. I have been dedicated to traveling to the nearest open club 75 miles away since my hometown club has been closed all year.  I travel 3-4 days/week for team and individual practices, and I have continued to work out consistently 5 - 6 days/week.  I'm so thankful SCVA and the club season has been able to continue and I look forward to being able to represent my high school team for the 2021 season.

I feel that I am a good candidate for your team because I am a hard worker, dedicated, and passionate. I am a genuine person with a heart of gold. I have been involved in National Charity League for the past 4 years, and I will finish all 6 years by my senior year. I feel that I am the definition of GRIT. Whether on the court or in the classroom, I persevere and work my hardest to overcome any obstacle. In the middle of 7th grade, I was diagnosed with a learning disability, so school hasn't always been the easiest for me.  But working hard to overcome these obstacles is what has made me the person I am. This same work ethic and determination is what has allowed me to not only be successful in school maintaining over a 3.75 GPA unweighted, but to also be successful on the court. I know that this same GRIT is what will make me a great addition to your team.