MaddyLynn Shumway '24 Recruiting Profile

My dream is to play volleyball in college. This dream sparked to life when I began my volleyball adventure at seven years old. I started with numerous skills clinics to learn the game. Shortly after, I joined my first team and truly fell in love with the sport.  A year later, I was ready for more! I tried out and earned a spot on my first club level team. I have progressed into higher level teams each year. I knew I needed more training than just practices to achieve my dream.  I discovered an amazing summer program called Project V. This program pushed me mentally, physically, and skill wise.  I started the day at 7 AM, three days a week for the entire summer, two years in a row.  We spent two hours on breaking down each skill, getting hundreds of touches a day. The next hour was spent on discussing how to establish goals and the personal standards necessary to achieve them. The final hour pushed us in a fast paced and relentless workout. Along with Project V, I also have played beach volleyball during the summer. My increased skill set and physical endurance along with the great support of coaches who believe in me, I have been able to support two teams during each of the past two club seasons. As an example in my 2019-2020 season I am a defensive specialist, libero and hitter for club 14 and club 16 teams.  These Elite level teams have enabled me to compete at Junior National Qualifiers against tougher competition.   My drive to improve keeps me busy with weekly skill sessions. The same club that holds Project V provides some pretty unique skill training opportunities with college players. In one instance, Madelyn Robinson from the University of Utah visited. She practiced by hitting against us. I was the only one of many girls, my age and older, who could stand in and effectively take several of her best hits. 

 As I pursue this goal, I realize that keeping my grades up is really important. I maintain a 3.9 or higher GPA and get assignments in before they are due. I love the process of learning and strive to always do my best work.  I balance taking advanced classes with ten hours of court time per week. If there is a tournament, make that fifteen to eighteen hours a week. I also spend three hours a week at the gym doing strength and vertical jump exercises. Currently I am taking AP, honors, and accelerated honors classes. 

Playing in college is my dream. I have never loved something more in my life and want to spend the rest of my life playing volleyball.