Jenna Leone '22 Recruiting Profile

I would love to be able to continue playing volleyball in college. This sport has given me lifetime friendships, and valuable experiences including triumphs, failures, goal-setting, and teamwork. It has taught me the importance of hard work being necessary to succeed. Volleyball has challenged me both on and off the court and I’ve learned that without effort, even those who are naturally talented won’t make it to the top without a lot of it.  Although my academic success is a goal I’ve set to a high standard, I know my character stems from my volleyball relationships and challenges. Being a rare 6 rotation player and an undersized front row hitter and setter, I am grateful to have been able to play on top teams in Southern California. I believe my flexibility in playing any position has kept me on the court and each year my coaches find a starting role for me. I think it is rare to switch positions as much as I have but I truly believe that I’m equally skilled in hitting, setting, and defense and that is the feedback I get from coaches. I believe my jump height and quickness get noticed first at every camp and my jump serve usually stands out too. Even being a small setter, I’ve been able to set from front and back row and I work on many different plays with our top hitters. I’ve also been able to train with the best!!! UCLA head coach for beach, Stein Metzger, has been a great coach of mine for several years and I train weekly with an indoor setter from UCLA -  Nikki Jagd who owns a private gym where we get to train with many beach and indoor olympians, including Sarah Pavan and now Kelly Reeves, a beach player where we work on defense and hitting weekly as well. I think my work ethic of playing most days of the week has been the reason for my greatest volleyball opportunities. As I begin my junior year at Palos Verdes High School, I continue to play indoor club for Mizuno and LA Beach volleyball with Stein Metzger.  I am fortunate to be able to play 6 days a week indoor and on the beach during quarantine. I’m hopeful to have an opportunity to continue playing the great sport that I love whether it’s indoor or beach volleyball in college.