Alessandra Cardamone '27 Recruiting Profile

I love hearing the slam of the ball hit the ground. The referee’s whistle brings me into the zone; it brings me home. 

As a sophomore at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, NJ, I am pursuing my passion for STEM and considering majoring in the health sciences, while advancing my role as varsity court captain helping to guide teammates to their correct position and rotations. My varsity and club teammates are more than just teammates - we are a family working together.  

I am Alessandra Cardamone, a versatile player that my teammates and coaches can always rely on. I easily switch positions and to rise to the occasion for my team as I take on various roles instructed by my coach. My strengths lie in my role as DS, as I am determined and quick to get under a ball to pass to the setter. A ball is never dead to me until the whistle blows which is why I would do anything to save a ball even if that means running into the wall or a spectator. But of course I’ll make sure they are ok! After a good play and coming out of the huddle, my teammates’ high-fives hype me to continue to dominate on the court. 

My preparation never stops whether I am working out independently in my home gym or training with the Bergen Catholic Boys’ Volleyball coach in strength, agility, and conditioning. To ensure my mind and body are at peak performance, I prioritize my mental and physical health by working with mental performance and nutrition coaches.

As a student at Academy of the Holy Angels (AHA), I was nominated by my coach for exemplary sportsmanship and was awarded the Archdiocese of Newark Sportsmanship Award. I was recently awarded the Coaches Award by the AHA Varsity Volleyball coach for outstanding leadership and dedication to the team. My essay on leadership on and off the volleyball court also helped me earn the AHA Leadership Award, a scholarship towards tuition.

As a Work to Play coach’s assistant, every week I help lead young aspiring volleyball players, ages 8-10 years old, in drills and games to improve their overall skills at Capitas Volleyball Club offsetting my club tuition.

When I am not on the court, I enjoy volunteering at SNAP, Special Needs Athletic Program,  making individuals with special needs feel safe while playing sports like I do. My non-profit organization, The J.A.R. Project, that I am establishing in memory of my uncle who lost his battle with cancer, is a way for me to keep his memory and giving spirit alive. By providing emergency care packages to family members who are taking care of individuals admitted to the ICU with serious illness or injury, I will be allowing them to take care of themselves so they can be there for their loved ones. 

As I continue to explore my role on the volleyball court, I am open to exploring various college volleyball programs to ensure the right fit for me and for that university's volleyball program. I am looking forward to finding the college that I will soon call my new volleyball home.