Janine Ceasar '19 Recruiting Profile

Being a student-athlete has taught me how to effectively manage my time so that I can perform my best in the classroom and on the court. Playing a fall sport can be tough, because it's the beginning of the school year and it's challenging to adjust to the rigors of a new and unfamiliar course load. However, these situations have taught me how to balance school and sports evenly and communicate effectively with teachers to ease the transition and lighten the load, especially during the first few weeks. Because of my determination to perform well in school, I have never let the daily grind of practices or time away from classes due to games or tournaments get in the way of my assignments. I plan to let this mentality follow me into college, where I want to pursue a career in Physical Therapy.

Playing volleyball at the club level and in high school has helped me to become more confident around others. I have learned that it’s necessary to finds ways to connect with my teammates, so that we can play well together regardless of how long we've known each other. Volleyball has also allowed me to see that true growth does not originate from how skilled one becomes, it originates from the ability to recognize and self-correct one’s mistakes. Learning this lesson has made me mentally stronger as a player, allowing me to move forward from bad plays instead of dwelling on them. I am a firm believer in the saying “a team is only as strong as their weakest player”. I try to always embrace this philosophy by encouraging and cheering on my teammates, whether it’s in practice or actual game situations.

Compared to the many sports I have played, volleyball has taught me many lessons that I know will benefit me in life and I don't want that experience to end anytime soon. My current collegiate goal is to be accepted into a school with a great Physical Therapy or Science Department that would allow me to thoroughly explore my interests. Athletically, my goal is to play volleyball at a school that challenges me to play at a high level, while continuing to improve my skills and play a sport I am passionate about for as long as I can.