Jess Goodman '24 Recruiting Profile

My goal is to be playing volleyball at a collegiate level, at a school that suits both my academic, and athletic needs. I fell in love with this sport while vacationing with my family in Mexico, joining adults in beach volleyball. I had a knack for it, and eventually started playing club. At the time, I was also playing competitive hockey (which I'd played since I was five), and competitive softball, (which I'd played since I was seven). I am grateful for the work ethic it taught me when having to balance my academics and athletics. Eventually, I gave up hockey and softball, to focus solely on volleyball. And here I am, looking at playing college volleyball.

I am trying to get recruited for indoor volleyball, but I do recognize the benefits of playing beach volleyball in the summer as a form of conditioning and practice. I've been playing beach since I was 12, and last year (2021), my partner Livia Davenport and I finished tied for 9th place in the province at Ontario Championships, in division one tier one (15u).  This year, we are going strong again and I'm competing almost every weekend with a variety of partners!

I would be a great asset to any team because of the fire, drive, enthusiasm, energy, hard work, and leadership I bring to the court. As a libero, it's my role to pump up the girls, and take the accountability for the ball not hitting the floor. Diving is one of my favourite parts of the game, and I'm proud of my floor burns! My beach coach calls me a spark-plug, because I take off quickly in little bursts of energy, and i'm known as being 'scrappy' on my indoor team.

Its a goal of mine to always focus on supporting as healthy and happy of a lifestyle as possible. In the summer of 2020, I began doing high intensity interval training. For my sophomore and junior high school years, I am participating in the Academy for Student Athlete Development (ASAD) program, which provides one course a day specializing on high intensity training, food and nutrition, or sports physchology. I love this program because of the environment; everyone is there to work hard, and achieve their goals. The trainers get to know you personally, and have your best interest at hand. Through my first year, I have seen massive improvements and it’s clearly translating into my play.

Volleyball aside, academics are extremely important to me. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA so far throughout high school. I hope to go into a field of study to do with social science courses or kinesiology, but I am not shutting the doors to other majors. Growing up as a busy, multi-sport athlete, I have acquired great work ethics around time management and other skills that I am very grateful for, and continue to use on a daily basis. 

Friends and family are my entire life, and support system. Without my parents love and support, I would not be here. My older brothers are amazing inspiration to me. I am so grateful for all of the coaches and trainers I have had through all sports that have helped me become the athlete I am today. 

I am very proud of all of my accomplishments. Here are some of them:

-13u Provincial Silver Medal (D2) [Forest City B]

-13u OVA Award of Excellence [Forest City B]

-14u Region 3 (Team Ontario) Top 60 Advancement to next tryout (didn't proceed any further due to COVID)

-15u Ontario Beach Championships D1T1 tied for 9th overall with Livia Davenport

-Captain of  my high school junior basketball team (fall 2021) Sir Frederick Banting S.S.

-Captain of my high school junior volleyball team (winter 2022) Sir Frederick Banting S.S.

-2021-2022 High School Athletic Banquet Awards (Jr Girls Volleyball MVP, Jr Girls Basketball MVP, Nominee for Grade 10 Girls Athlete of the year)

-Gold Medal at D1T2 16u beach Ontario Championships

-5th place at 17u Canadian beach Nationals