Karlie Bonam '21 Recruiting Profile

"Get 1% better everyday!", is encouraged by my head coach prior to each practice.  This statement holds true in all aspects of my life, from my spiritual walk with the Lord, to my academic growth and onto the volleyball court.  My 1% may look different each day, as I still have areas that I need to grow in.  Playing collegiate volleyball would prove that getting 1% better each day has paid off 600%, which is about the amount of days I will have touched a volleyball since I started my journey to play at the collegiate level.  I don't want to end my volleyball goals with just making a college team,  my getting better would carry through my playing time as I would eventually like to receive the AVCA  All-American award as a middle blocker or outside hitter.  I haven't always been viewed as good enough to play college volleyball with my size.  Lifting weights, beach workouts, indoor reps and lots of hours of being coached by great coaches have landed me to where I am today.  My freshman year I made the Second Team All District team which motivated me to work harder and this year, my sophomore year, I was named the Best Blocker in the District,  First Team All-District and awarded Most Improved Player by my team.  I am used to a very time demanding schedule as I transition from volleyball and cheer to basketball, onto 2 club volleyball teams during track season.  My summer's consist of daily lifting and conditioning workouts, babysitting an 8 year with his twin 5-year-old sisters and beach volleyball workouts twice a week.  I am used to a heavy workload with the school as well, as I take 4 dual credit classes each semester.  Achieving my dreams of helping children with cancer and becoming a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner one day keeps me motivated.  My oldest sister had cancer as a baby and has inspired me to help other children as someone helped her.  My passion for winning isn't just about the court, it's winning in life and making a difference in lives around me.