Alex Leise '21 Recruiting Profile

    My volleyball journey all started when I signed up for a camp at my local YMCA in 5th grade. Little did I know, that was going to be the best and most life changing decision I will have ever made. From that point on, I have put 100% into anything volleyball related.  Whether that was improving my skills, being a better teammate, or absorbing my coaches' constructive criticism.  All of these little, but also very important details, have made me into a better volleyball player. 

    As I moved my journey into high school, that is when things began to come at me fast. I was a starter on varsity my freshman year and I was the only freshman out of 5 seniors and 2 juniors.  I didn't want this to get to my head and be cocky in front of my friends that were on JV.  I just told myself that volleyball is volleyball and it doesn't matter who I am playing with, as long as I was enjoying the game and improving my skill. I watched all of them so closely so I could be just as good as they were. I worked so hard at practices so I could keep up with them and try not to disappoint them during a game. Playing each varsity game I noticed myself starting to love the competition and speed of the game more and more. That's when I knew I had to play club volleyball. 

    Playing club was such a great opportunity for me. I got to experience all different types of teams which taught me how to play up to certain team's levels and how not to play down to team's levels. The absolute thing I loved most about club was seeing that all the girls I played with, had the same level of passion I had for the sport. That is why I was able to create such amazing bonds with so many girls. I learned how to adapt to certain girls' attitudes and made sure that didn't affect me negatively. Not only did I have to adapt to different girls, but I had to adapt to different coaches too. With the club I was and am currently at, there are multiple coaches trying to help you out. Some coaches have different approaches than other, but I had to learn to take in what they were telling me and apply it to the court. I take volleyball very seriously and never want to disrespect coaches or players, but when it was an appropriate time, I would always love to makes my teammates and coaches laugh. 

    I want to carry the characteristics I have gained throughout volleyball into my life off the court. I stay focused on the court just as I do with academics. I have no time to be lazy or careless. I have to manage school, volunteering club activities, and of course, volleyball. Yes, this is a full plate, but I know the experience will make me a well-rounded person and player which I would absolutely love to carry on into my collegiate journey.