Gabriella Manly '28 Recruiting Profile

To say I am passionate about volleyball would be an insane understatement. I have been playing volleyball since I was in first grade, and I immediately fell in love with it. I honestly can't imagine what my life would be like without it! Volleyball saved my life, and I mean that literally. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the court and that volleyball existing. I was in a really dark place after my birth mom died of her own attempts, but I learned quickly how much volleyball played a large role in keeping my mind on track. 

I play and practice my heart out every single day. Whether it is on a court, or even just in my backyard, I have a ball in my hands. I love playing volleyball because it helps me remember who I am, and that I will always have a team, scratch that, a family to support me and push me along the road of life, even if I am not on the volleyball court. I hope to be able to continue volleyball at a high and competitive level.

 I love school just about as much as volleyball because I absolutely love to socialize with people of all sorts! I also love my science classes where I get to learn about human reactions, and why our brains are so mysterious and absolutely unique with all of our decisions. Brains never cease to surprise me! On the court, I adore my position as a setter because I naturally like being able to be a leader for my team. I am very cheerful and positive, and I know that quality helps keep my team alive through every second of our game. I love getting feedback from my team and my coaches so that I know how to fix any of my mistakes that I might not have known I had made. I am a very hard worker in both academics and school because I like to know that when I achieve something, I earned it full-heartedly.