Rebekah Storlie '23 Recruiting Profile

Playing volleyball at a higher level is something that I've strove for since the sixth grade. I'm from a small school, so there isn't exactly an abundance of talent to construct a team with; as a result, I've gone through a lot of losing seasons. It's kind of frustrating to feel like you're the only one there to play good volleyball and to improve, when it sometimes seems that your teammates are only there for fun. However, I made a Junior Olympics team this winter season through Grand Rapids, so I get to play with some of the best athletes in the area. It forces me to level up and has taught me a lot. I believe strongly in giving 100 percent in practice as well as games, and am committed to improving my skills and mentality at every opportunity. On the court I am an avid communicator, and as a captain I take it upon myself to promote a positive atmosphere within my team no matter the situation. It is one of my core beliefs that hard work and dedication is the ONLY road to success, and I try to live by that truth on and off the volleyball court. 

I have very good grades and take the highest level classes I can. I hope to gain a higher education in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and health, and my dream is that someday I can open a youth fitness center that works with sports teams, promotes health and strength in adolescents, and works with the community to help provide healthful choices for all. Charity, health, and working with the next generation are all things that spark my interest, and so my dream business is a combination of all these things. 

I believe that I am a good candidate for any team because I am hardworking, driven and have no problem with doing hard things. I'm willing to struggle, I'm willing to fail, and I'm willing to accept criticism and keep working. Additionally, having multiple losing seasons under my belt has forced me to understand that no matter how much I put into the game, I cannot single-handedly win a game; volleyball is a very big team effort, and so losses have taught me to trust my teammates, to push each other, and to make an effort to build the chemistry that is so critical for a team to be successful.