Lily Simkins '22 Recruiting Profile

 Hello, my name is Lily Simkins and I am a Junior, currently enrolled in the Pre-Med core at Windsor High School. The turning point in my volleyball career was when I gained confidence in my ability. I was a freshman, trying out for club as a setter, after playing for the 13-2's team the previous year. The coach running the try-ous on my court keep putting me in middle back, which was confusing since I had always been a setter. After the last day of tryouts, I went home in worry but later that night got the call that would change my life. The coach for the 15-1's called me asking if I would take a spot on her team, however as a DS. She said she saw potential, that I had insanely fast feet and reactions. This was a huge jump in competition, as I skipped a whole age group and was put on a power team. From there on out, I have only improved as a DS, yet at the same time, I became more versatile, as I have a strong back-row attack and good hands from past setting experience. 

As I grew as a player, I realized that the game's fundamental values of teamwork yet independence, as well as commitment, are the values I vow to translate to my dream path as a nursing major and a college athlete. Academics have always come easy to me in the same way that athletics has. A big determinate of my achievements in both these fields is my core values of compassion, ambition, and persistence. I believe in never giving up. That, if I am persistent and put everything I have into what I am doing the hard work will pay off, and greatness can be achieved. Yet at the same time, I believe to never settle and always strive to be the best. Ideally, I would like to go to a school which best suits my athletic ability and that has a strong nursing program.