Elli Paulsen '21 Recruiting Profile

Helping our high school varsity volleyball team qualify for the state championship as a freshman was a highlight of my first year of high school. However, I feel I grew the most from learning how to lead our team as the starting varsity setter at only 13 years old and creating strong relationships with juniors and seniors that I started over.  Through this experience I learned that I influence my team through my competition, hard work and strategic thinking. I've put in hours of hard work since I began playing club ball at 11 years old in California.  

My overall goals are to:

• Assist my Nike Elite 16's club team qualify for nationals this year.
• Lead my high school team to a state championship
• Increase my vertical jump to 9'8"
• Continue working with coaches to improve my all-around skills
• Have a contributing role on on a Division I volleyball team
• Keep up my 4.0 GPA

I've been consistent each year attending volleyball camps, receiving additional coaching, working hard on and off the court and improving my overall athleticism by working out, eating right and strengthening relationships with teammates. Some of my strengths on my team are the following:

Competition: Although I am gracious to my fellow competitors and even stoic in defeat, I don’t compete for the fun of competing. I compete to win and influence team mates by my competitive nature.

Strategic: I’m able to sort through the clutter and find the best route. This is not a skill that can be taught. This perspective allows me to see patterns where others simply see complexity.

Includer: I want to include people and make them feel part of the group. This makes me a great teammate. I am an instinctively accepting person, regardless of race, sex, nationality, personality or faith, I cast few judgments.

Maximizer: Excellence, not average, is my measure. Having found a strength in volleyball, I feel compelled to nurture it, refine it, and stretch it toward excellence

Command: This leads me to take charge. I’m not frightened by confrontation; rather, I know that confrontation is the first step toward resolution.

I'm a great candidate for your team not only because of my athletic and academic ability and my consistent progression, but also because of my strengths in uniting competitive individuals with different characters and strengths to work together to reach their potential.