Maya Illovsky '17 Recruiting Profile

Hi, I'm Maya Illovsky and at the moment I am playing for Digs 16 Red as a junior and go to Northern Valley Old Tappan Regional High School. What may separate me from other players is my drive and devotion to every single point and every single play on the court. I try my hardest to touch any ball and no matter how I may be feeling or what had happened in the play before, I make my best efforts to motivate the team and encourage everyone and myself to fight to the finish. I think hard work is very important. I try to show myself 110% on the court each and every time I play. I don't do it for only myself, I don't only try hard to show off to my coach, but I put all my work in and try hard for my team. 

My Junior year in high school, I played left side defense back row and hit outside in certain rotations. This year my team went undefeated 27-0 and won TOC's in New Jersey. I was honored to receive first team Bergen County this year as well.

Volleyball has been in my life since the fourth grade, it's something I've always had a passion for. When coming into high school freshman year, I made the Old Tappan varsity volleyball team. That year, we were the Group 3 state champions. My sophomore year, I started as a defensive player and towards the end of the year became a right side hitter. Unfortunately we lost in the state finals, but had a really good season. 

I was the captain of my 13s Digs team, my 14red team, and last year on 15red. My sophomore year playing 16red my coach rotates captains every game but I constantly try to encourage and be the leader on court when it seems like the energy may be low or dying.

Something else that may interest you about me academically is that I'm a straight A and B student. I work hard in all my classes and get to class on time every day. Being on time is very important to me. Another academic achievement that I'm proud of is that I am in an advanced "Gifted and Talented" program in my school. I excel as I participate in class and try my hardest to learn as much as I can from every class.

In addition, I speak the Slovak language fluently and Spanish is also one of my best subjects.

Right now, I think I'm leaning towards psychology and brain anatomy, or something in the chemistry field. I'm interested in human interactions. 

Volleyball is a part of my life that I don't want to lose as I get older. Maybe in my future, I may want to help others and coach.