Emily Ioannou '27 Recruiting Profile

I am from Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean and a country member of the European Union. My volleyball club team is 'Olympiada Neapolis', one of the historic volleyball clubs in Cyprus; National Champions in 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons and participating in the CEV European women's competitions. 

I am currently attending high school at the GC School of Careers in Nicosia, a private secondary school (all classes in English, except Modern Greek). I am in the Sports School Programme (Volleyball) and attend early morning volleyball practices before my regular classes, as well as playing volleyball for my school team. The school follows the British educational system, with seven years of middle and high school instead of six; and prepares its students for the British exams for University entry (IGCSE and GCE A' Level exams), as well as for entry into US and European Universities. My school graduation is June 2027 and I am planning to start my University studies in the Fall Semester 2027.  

I started playing volleyball at the age of 10 at the volleyball academy and at the age of 11 became a member of the U14W volleyball team, as a starter Setter for the season 2019/20. For the season 2020/21, the national championship games (as in most sport activities) were suspended due to SARS-CoV-2 / Covid-19.  However, the feeling of participation in the game, as well as continuous training, truly made me fall in love with the sport. I was also playing beach volleyball, which I like very much and is further enhancing my volleyball skills. 

For the 2021/22 season, I was the captain of U14W team and a regular of the U16W team as an Opposite Hitter, while training with the U18W team on some training days every week as Opposite. In December 2021, have made my debut with the U18W team as Opposite Hitter. For the season 2022/23 was the captain of U16W team and regular for the U18W team, competing as Outside Hitter. For the season 2023/24 was the captain of U16W team and starter for the U18W team, competing as Outside Hitter. 

For the season 2024/25, I was the captain of the U18W team, competing as Outside Hitter; while made my official game debut with the Women's team, the National Champions and Cup winners 2024/2025.   

In April 2022 had been selected and called to the National U14W Volleyball team of Cyprus (as Outside Hitter). In November 2022 and during 2023 had been called to the National U16W and U18W Volleyball team. 

With my Middle School team, in 2020/21 season we qualified the Regionals (2nd place) and reached Nationals for the first time. In 2022/23 season, as captain, we again qualified the State (2nd place) and in Nationals 3rd place, the highest position ever reached by my school in the National Middle School Championship. 

For season 2024/25 season was the Outside Hitter and Captain of my High School team. We qualified for the first time the Regionals (1st place) and reached Nationals for the first time, finally completing the season at the 3rd place, again the highest position ever reached by my school in the National High School Championship. 

Competing in different championships and levels has been a true learning curve for me. With every training I try to further enhance my game, skills, techniques and abilities, as well as continuously learn from my coaches. However, this commitment also requires an even stronger discipline and substantial effort, to keep up with my academic performance standards and requirements, as well as my school schedule. 

Volleyball plays a huge role in my life and I plan to continue playing while pursuing my University studies (as a student-athlete) and life goals. Being a part of a team has been an exciting and a changing life experience. I am eager to develop and grow further, in order to compete and distinguish among the best, both as an athlete and as an individual.