Prospect Spotlight – 2024 OH London Wijay
Our number one goal across our entire Prep Network site is to spotlight those players who excel in their respective sport. Normally we highlight multiple athletes in each article to maximize our reach. Every now and then we will do…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOur number one goal across our entire Prep Network site is to spotlight those players who excel in their respective sport. Normally we highlight multiple athletes in each article to maximize our reach. Every now and then we will do some solo articles on some special players for different reasons. This article is about a special player from California who has been groomed for success on and off the volleyball court. We sat down with her and asked her some questions about her recent exploits and also gotten to know her a little better. Let’s take a closer look at who she is and what she has accomplished.
London Wijay London Wijay 5'11" | OH Alemany | 2024 State CA [2024] 5-11 Outside (HS: Alemany/Club: Munciana/Verbal: Uncommitted)
London is currently ranked as the 2nd best overall prospect in the 2024 Class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays for Alemany High School and also for the nationally recognized Munciana volleyball club. Her offensive exploits on an indoor court have been well documented over the last few years as she has been phenomenal scoring points at will from every location on the court. She is a true six-rotation pin who can flat out ball in every aspect of the game. She has recently opened up her recruitment to find the best possible home for the next four years. The two-time CIF Player of the Year is someone who every college in the country needs to have their eye on. She is a gifted athlete who can jump out of the gym and has power for days. She has loving parents who have helped shape and guide her to be the person and player she is today. When you watch Miss Wijay play, you get the feeling that she was born to play this wonderful game of ours with her picturesque approach and violent arm swing. It doesn’t matter whether it is the front row or the back row, this young lady can fly and decimate the ball with authority. This past season she chose to commute from Cali to Indiana in order to play for a legendary coach and volleyball club, which has been a huge undertaking. Not many could handle all of the travel and headaches that come with the decision, but Miss Wijay is not your average young lady. She is strong and very determined to be the absolute best she can be.
We were able to ask London a few questions and here are her responses.
PD California: Why Volleyball? Why is it important to you? What do you love about it?
Miss Wjiay: I was blessed to be born into this sport. My mom is a volleyball coach and the club owner of Supernova All Stars based in Los Angeles, CA. Inevitably, volleyball has become my family. So many people, teammates have made an impact of who I am today. I love the sport of volleyball because you need everyone to win the game no matter how big or small your role is.
PD California: Tell me what you love about your position on the court the most?
Miss Wjiay: I love being an outside hitter because you have the opportunity to take over games. I love the responsibility of every aspect of the game. I love the pressure! Being an outside hitter is more than just hitting, I am always trying to master every part of that position especially passing and defense. In order to play this position at a high level, you have to have high IQ for the 1st and 3rd contact and be able to deliver when it matters the most!
PD California: Why did you choose to travel so far to play for Munciana?
Miss Wjiay: First, Munciana has a long legacy of creating some of the greatest volleyball players ever and getting them ready to succeed at the next level. It is tough competitive environment. Second, my mom played for Munciana and its been an awesome experience seeing where my mom grew up on a farm. Third, I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone. I have played for Supernova All Stars since I was 5 years old and played in the 17 Open Division since I was 12. I am always trying to push myself to be the best version of myself so my goal was to play for Mike at Munciana. I wanted to experience a totally different world, different way of volleyball, and with different people before I left to college. Coach Mike is a legend in volleyball and I have learned a lot from him and this team! Playing for this team, it will prepare you mentally and physically for the next level!
PD California: What are you looking for in a college program/coach?
Miss Wjiay: What I am looking for in a college program are a few things. I want to be at a program that cares about their players and wants to be the best volleyball team in the country. I want a school that has an amazing school spirit and tradition. I want the other sports teams to be successful as well. As a coach, I want a coach that never gives up on their team or players, communicates well with their players and that knows the game very well and is able to teach it. I want the coach to be honest and personable, someone that is competitive and wants to win, and pushes us to be great.
PD California: What does Leadership mean to you? How do you plan on becoming a better leader this season?
Miss Wjiay: Leadership means to me first and foremost is getting my job done consistently every day. It means action before talk! Leadership means encouraging and accepting everyone where they are and helping them get where they can be. Leadership also means to have courage to have the uncomfortable talk if needed. I think it’s very important to be a leader off the court just as much, if not more than on the court, so in tough times we fight even more for each other.
PD California: What are you looking forward to most this club season?
Miss Wjiay: Experience a different culture, new adversities, play with incredible volleyball players, learn a different way to play volleyball and play for Coach Mike Lingenfelter.
PD California: What do you think is your biggest obstacle this year compared to last season? How do you plan to overcome it?
Miss Wjiay: The commute has been the toughest part of this season. I fly back and forth for practice and tournaments. I feel like I live at airports. Also, I am home schooled this semester, which takes a lot of discipline to stay on top of my school work and schedule time with my tutors. To me this is all worth it. My goal is to be the best version of myself and I will keep putting myself in uncomfortable situations to accomplish this!
PD California: What are three individual goals that you have for this club season?
Miss Wjiay: To be the best passer in the country, learn to be successful out of my comfort zone, and win AAU Nationals.
PD California: Tell me a time when you faced adversity in life and how you overcame it or a lesson you learned from it:
Miss Wjiay: Being a club owner’s kid, you go through a lot things that most players shouldn’t go through. You see the ugly side of people and it has hurt me and made me very angry. My mom has always told me that this is a part of life and you can let it harden you. You can get angry or you can let it make you wiser and have more empathy/sympathy for others. I have channeled this as motivation and fuel when I play and when I play I have laser focus to dominate the other side. I do play with a big chip on my shoulder and that won’t go away!
PD California: Name two people that have influenced you in volleyball the most.
Miss Wjiay: The two people that have influenced me the most is my mom and dad. My mom has taught me so much about being a leader and being a teammate on and off the court. She has taught me how to move on from my mistakes and keep focusing on the goal. My dad has always been there pushing me out of my comfort zone, making me do his college track workouts and always challenging my mind on my approach to everything from volleyball to business.
PD California: What is something that a coach has told/taught you that lives in your head rent free?
Miss Wjiay: Be aggressive in the way you play and that the great ones are always competing against themselves. I am always trying to find a different ways to train and new technology for rehab on my body. I know what I can do on the court against anyone or any team and my goal is to get even better at what I do. The thing that fuels me is my drive to be the best version of myself.
PD California: What other hobbies/interests do you have outside of volleyball?
Miss Wjiay: I am very interested in real estate and starting my clothing line. Hopefully it will come out the end of this year but for sure by 2024. The line will be athletic street wear! I am also into makeup and shopping with my friends. My favorite thing to do is going out to sushi with my girlfriends!
This young lady is just getting started in her life and she has such a great view of the world and awesome head on her shoulders. In my opinion, she has that killer instinct that not many young players have in this day and age. This will take her to the next level in life for sure. It is what separates the best from the greatest of all time. Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Tiger, Cheryl Miller, and only a select few people have this in them. It is very refreshing to see a young lady have that same killer instinct. Stay tuned for more on London Wijay London Wijay 5'11" | OH Alemany | 2024 State CA as she embarks on a wonderful volleyball career.
As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at Michael@prepdig.com Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following us, Prep Dig California Family! Don’t be afraid to interact with us. We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments. Keep them coming!