Stella Thompson '27 Recruiting Profile

     My name is Stella Thompson, and I am a freshman varsity volleyball player in Ashland, Oregon. As a child, I was a dancer and a competitive gymnast, but I fell in love with volleyball when I began playing club in the 5^th grade. For me, volleyball is a perfect way to blend my competitive spirit with my athletic talents and my love for being on a team with friends. After playing with my local club for several seasons, I took the leap to try out for the larger regional team (Spiketown) in the spring of my 8^th grade year. We played so well that we were offered a bid to the Jr. Nationals which was super exciting!

     Upon arriving in Chicago in June of 2023, we learned that four of our players and our coach had not been able to make the flight due to weather and airline disruptions. We were horrified to be at a national tournament with barely enough players and a stand in coach who was also one of the team dads. Having to play unusual rotations with my teammates in different positions really pushed me to become a much more resilient athlete, all while rising to the challenge of playing the best teams in the country. This was the moment that I realized how much I enjoy the competition of high-level volleyball and that with time and training, I will become an excellent college player. I have always been a very driven leader and laser focused with my sports. I know that I can blend my desire to be academically excellent with my athletic talent and become a valuable asset for a college team.