Gianna Ptaszek '22 Recruiting Profile

At a very young age, I learned how to lead by example. My older brother, Vince, was born with Down syndrome. Even though Vince is older than me, he looks to me as his role model. I have helped teach him right from wrong and to give him my praise when he is successful. In a way, I have taken on the roles of both the middle and oldest child of my family. This allowed me to develop optimism and leadership qualities within my home life. Not only does Vince learn from me, but I learn things from him every day, and through this learning, I have been able to better myself. When I started playing volleyball, these skills helped me grow into my personality, gave me confidence, and allowed me to thrive in a team atmosphere. At the age of seven, I started playing at Sports Performance Volleyball Club and have played there ever since. The club has provided me with a strong community of support, and they have taught me the importance of being a good teammate. 

Throughout the many years that I have played volleyball, I have become resilient while remaining determined and dedicated. Being strong mentally is so important in the game of volleyball, and I have gotten stronger mentally every year. My teammates admire how vocal I am on the court. Communication is key to bringing a team together. High school has given me so many amazing leadership opportunities in and outside of volleyball. My goal is to continue to grow as a leader at the next level. The ideal volleyball program would provide me with a sense of family. The university that I select would need to challenge me academically as well as athletically every day. My major is currently undecided, but I am considering a career in graphic design or some form of media. Overall, I want to play volleyball for a university that will allow me to fulfill my dream to play at a high level while also preparing me to begin a career with a quality education.