Audrey Bartels '18 Recruiting Profile

I started playing volleyball when I was 8 years old, and have remained passionate about the sport ever since. By the time I earned a spot as a junior on the Varsity team at Loudoun County High School (LCHS) in Leesburg, Virginia, my teammates and coaches had nicknamed me “The Beast” and “The Hulk” based on my intensity and enthusiasm on the floor.

In addition to my volleyball activities, I am also a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program and completed testing to achieve the rank of Cadet Petty Officer First Class in my first year. The program acts almost as a second sport for me, while also placing very demanding academic and citizenship requirements on its participants. I thrive in this demanding and competitive environment.

I intend to pursue a college degree in education with an emphasis in mathematics, at a school where I can also continue my ROTC training. I also intend to study coaching so I can combine the two careers—possibly even returning to my Loudoun County home. I volunteer as a Sunday school teacher at Destiny Church in Leesburg, and have also acted as a mentor and coach for junior high teams.

You probably already know that LCHS is a storied volleyball program, having won the Virginia State High School championship in 9 of the last 10 years. In 2017 our team was recognized in Congress by U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock. Often, our JV and Varsity teams have completed undefeated seasons, and many of our young women have gone on to be recruited to DI and DII programs. I look forward to bringing this storied success and positive, winning attitude to the collegiate level.