Mara Woolford '22 Recruiting Profile

I have been a 3 sport athlete for several years now. I have played travel softball since I was 9 years old. In addition, I began travel basketball a few years later.  Along with travel basketball, I also made the middle school team my sixth and seventh grade year. I began volleyball during 5th grade when I played for Parks and Rec and then made the middle school team my 6th and 7th grade year. My 8th grade year, I was fortunate enough to make the Junior Varsity team, where I think I improved greatly. I played outside hitter and back row. This is the year I really began to understand volleyball and the technical parts of the sport. That winter I played for Stonewall Volleyball club, from around the Harrisonburg area. I continued to improve by playing all the way around. Our team placed 3rd place in the silver bracket in the Revolutionary Rumble, in Williamsburg, Virginia, out of nearly 40 teams. My freshman year I made the Varsity team as 1 of 2 freshman. The coach's threw me in as a setter in the beginning of the season, but after a few games made me an outside hitter again.  

On the academic side, I care a lot about my work. I want to complete my work and have it turned in on time. I think I am fairly organized and time manage well. In the spare time I have, I always try to complete some work, even if it's just a few problems. I am hoping to find a college where I not only will love playing volleyball, but also where I will fall in love with the campus and atmosphere of the college. I would love to continue playing volleyball in college because it brings me joy and I would love to reach my highest potential while continuing to compete. 

Of course I want to succeed in volleyball, but I also want my teammates to succeed as well. I am always happy for my teammates and their successes. I'm there for them when they need a little encouragement, or when they need motivation to get something completed, whether it be a workout or a school assignment. I continuously push my teammates to make themselves better and stay positive.