Personal Statement
I was born and living in Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean and a country member of the European Union. 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 of that year.
I started playing volleyball at the age of 10 at the volleyball academy of 'Olympiada Neapolis', one of the historic volleyball clubs in Cyprus. Up to that age, I was engaged with various other activities, including ballet and gymnastics. At the age of 11 became a member of the U14 volleyball team of the club, in the starting lineup as a 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 am also playing beach volleyball in the Summer, which I like very much and is helping me to further enhance my volleyball skills.
For the 2021/22 season, I was the captain of U14 team and a starter/regular of the U16 team as an Opposite Hitter, while training with the U18 team on some training days every week as Opposite Hitter. In December 2021, have made my debut with the U18 team of Olympiada Neapolis as Opposite Hitter for the U18 national championship. For the season 2022/23 was the captain of U16 team and regular for the U18 team, competing as Outside Hitter. For the season 2023/24 was the captain of U16 team and starter for the U18 team, competing as Outside Hitter. For the current season 2024/25 I am the captain of the U18 team, competing as Outside Hitter.
In April 2022 have been selected and called to the National U14W Volleyball team of Cyprus (as Outside Hitter). Since November 2022 have been called to the National U16W/U18W Volleyball team.
With my 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 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.
