Samantha Snyder '21 Recruiting Profile

I love volleyball more than most things in life. In my career I haven’t had a lot of challenges except for my height, I’m a 5’2 11th grader who had never thought height would describe me as a player until my freshman year of high school. I’ve found that as I get older playing volleyball will get more challenging especially if my height doesn’t catch up with the size of my heart for this sport. When I tried out for my high school team my freshman year and unfortunately did not make it. I told my mom that I wanted to ask for improvement goals from the coach and the reply was “You are a great player but there are girls taller than you on front and back row.” As I walked out I was shocked and confused because I didn’t think that height alone could describe a player. My height does not define me. I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in 3rd grade and travel since I was in 5th. I realized that my height can try and stop me but I’m not gonna let it that easily. In the last three years, I have played Libero for the Travel Teams that I have played for including Alexander Aces and Precision Volleyball Club. I am determined to make my dream come true, playing college volleyball, no matter the challenges. I know that it won’t be easy but I’m up for the challenge. I hope this gives you a little peek into my mindset. Recently, my future career has come into focus. I am interested in becoming a teacher which is something I have denied because my mother is a teacher. However, the past two summers I have been a lifeguard and have enjoyed being around the children. This has shown me that is what I want to do in my life. I am a social person and love to help and encourage others, especially children.