My name is Alexa Gonzalez Monreal. I am currently a freshman on the UTEP Beach Volleyball Team. My journey to play college Beach Volleyball started at age 11, when I attended my first practice at 210 Beach in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, I tried every sport; I loved to compete and burn off energy. My older sister and I were “bouncing off the walls,” so naturally, my mom had us playing sports to stay active and probably keep her sane. My sister introduced me to the game of volleyball. She started playing indoor at nine years old, I was the six-year-old little sister tagging along to tournaments. Spending days in loud gymnasiums wasn't exactly my idea of fun, but as I got a little older, I began to appreciate the sport. Watching long rallies, big blocks, and crazy defensive plays gave me an adrenaline rush! Before long, I was begging my mom to join a club team. However, it was the middle of indoor season and club rosters were established. The one door that was open was to start playing Beach Volleyball, so I asked my mom to sign me up right away. My first practice was something I will never forget. I walked in the facility and saw a bunch of kids playing, having fun, and enjoying what they were doing: it felt like a breath of fresh air. From the moment on, I fell in love with beach volleyball and it has become my passion. In juniors, I competed in BVCA, P1440 and AVP National tournaments, earning several top finishes. Traveling to different places, creating friendships, and competing at a high level made me realize I wanted to continue to play in college. During the recruiting process, the University of Texas at El Paso immediately caught my eye because of my connection to the city. My mom was born and raised there, and growing up, I visited often for holidays and family events. I already knew UTEP was a beautiful campus with a strong culture and community, but it was my official campus visit that made me feel excited about being part of the UTEP family—the team and coaches made it feel like home. I am pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Management. I’m drawn to this field because I enjoy understanding how organizations connect and grow. Ever since I was little, I wanted to own a brand and start my own company. I would love to one day own a beach volleyball facility where young athletes can learn the sport. At the same time, I'm interested in the corporate side of marketing and would love the opportunity to work on a major marketing team for brands like Nike and Adidas. Being part of a team that builds global campaigns and influences the sports industry would be a special opportunity to blend my interests in athletics with business. My path to play college Beach Volleyball hasn’t been easy. I've devoted countless hours to practices, tournaments, private lessons, and training sessions to pursue the sport that I love. Through it all, my mom and sister have been the two people by my side. As a single parent, my mom has worked incredibly hard to support my goals, including the financial demands of training and travel. I am grateful to attend a university that provides aid, but it still does not cover all expenses. Receiving the Tardus Scholarship would mean so much to me and my family and I appreciate being considered for this award.