Hannah Benson '18 Recruiting Profile

I’m a 5’5” outside hitter and middle, from CT. I was a starter for my team 4 out of the 5 years I played, and captain for my last two years. My first year I was strictly a front row player, the years following I was an all around player, and even a setter my 4th year. My strength lies in front row, but I can and will play where I am needed.

    My volleyball interest started in 8^th grade, when my younger cousin introduced me to the sport and convinced me to play with her. Since then my interest has grown tremendously and I have fallen completely head over heels for the game. My first year, my team did awful. When I say awful I mean we won probably 2 games out of about 14. Yes, I know, horrific. But that only fueled me to do whatever it took to never have a season like that again, and things took off from there. Hard work, determination, perseverance, willingness to learn, and teamwork led my team to winning our regional championship this year with only one loss on our record. It took 5 years and a lot of 2^nd place trophies, but we did it. I know high school is very different and less challenging than college, but I’m up for challenges, and I’m up for the learning experience. Playing volleyball has taught me how to be a leader, on and off the court, push myself to be the best I can, not to give up no matter how many sprints coach tells us to do, and to value the team and coach relationship more than the amount of W’s we have on our record sheet. I’m very excited to see where playing college volleyball will bring me!

    As much as I value volleyball, I value my grades and classroom success as well. Working hard in school has always been important to me.  Always wanting to get good grades has increased my work-ethic, which spills over into always wanting to do the best I can with other tasks given to me. Whatever school I end up going to, you can count on a player and student that is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.