Sports has played such an important role on my life even since I was young. I have very bad anxiety and I tend to go into depressive episodes when overwhelmed but when I play sports everything changes. Sports is my outlet and helps me to be who I truly am. After I lost my father, I felt absolutely helpless. I felt as though nothing would get better. My dad was one of my biggest supporters when it came to me and volleyball. He was unable to ever see me play since we lived in two different countries due to business circumstances which made his passing hurt even more. After his passing I decided to dedicate everything I do to him, including the way I play volleyball. My dad always worked for what he had so I decided to mirror that and I put that mentality into my head of not giving up on anything. One thing that I started to do was work out on a constant basis, training my body to become fit (my dad also worked out every morning). I pushed myself everyday, even on off season, finding ways to do different drills and get a hand on my volleyball. This all paid off my senior year of high school because I was in the starting line up every game and was able to be team captain, guiding my team through highs and lows. During that season I was awarded all conference and MVP for my team. I was also able to be recognized by the soccer coach of Old Westbury who wanted me to connect with the volleyball coach because she recognized my potential as a player. After all of this I was then recruited to be a starting player at SUNY Old Westbury. This was all thanks to my dad who guided me and inspired me to push myself in every aspect of my life and especially with sports. When I touched that ball I knew he was with me guiding my hand to wherever it needed to be, whenever I jumped I know he was able to provide me with that extra height. My father was my inspiration in life and I know that he was able to help me every step of the way through my good and bad days. Even though he was unable to see my play I just know he watches me everyday now and continues to help me play better everyday.

Sports has played such an important role on my life even since I was young. I have very bad anxiety and I tend to go into depressive episodes when overwhelmed but when I play sports everything changes. Sports is my outlet and helps me to be who I truly am. After I lost my father, I felt absolutely helpless. I felt as though nothing would get better. My dad was one of my biggest supporters when it came to me and volleyball. He was unable to ever see me play since we lived in two different countries due to business circumstances which made his passing hurt even more. After his passing I decided to dedicate everything I do to him, including the way I play volleyball. My dad always worked for what he had so I decided to mirror that and I put that mentality into my head of not giving up on anything. One thing that I started to do was work out on a constant basis, training my body to become fit (my dad also worked out every morning). I pushed myself everyday, even on off season, finding ways to do different drills and get a hand on my volleyball. This all paid off my senior year of high school because I was in the starting line up every game and was able to be team captain, guiding my team through highs and lows. During that season I was awarded all conference and MVP for my team. I was also able to be recognized by the soccer coach of Old Westbury who wanted me to connect with the volleyball coach because she recognized my potential as a player. After all of this I was then recruited to be a starting player at SUNY Old Westbury. This was all thanks to my dad who guided me and inspired me to push myself in every aspect of my life and especially with sports. When I touched that ball I knew he was with me guiding my hand to wherever it needed to be, whenever I jumped I know he was able to provide me with that extra height. My father was my inspiration in life and I know that he was able to help me every step of the way through my good and bad days. Even though he was unable to see my play I just know he watches me everyday now and continues to help me play better everyday.