A Look Back: The Work. The Reward

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We featured an amazing showcase on PrepDigCa IG, honoring the hard work and achievements of talented prospects dedicated to excelling in both academics and athletics. Through this platform, we've had the privilege of engaging with these exceptional athletes, delving into their strategies for successfully balancing the demands of academics and the challenges on the court. Their firsthand experiences and insights, shared in their own words, serve as an inspiring beacon for anyone aspiring to follow in their footsteps. Discover the invaluable tips generously offered by these outstanding athletes, providing guidance and motivation to our readers on their journey towards personal achievement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='228678' first='Layli' last='Ostovar']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":495857,"width":"254px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-495857" style="width:254px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658cce5353104"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Balancing academic and athletics is challenging but I think it comes down to being organized and having good time management skills. I print a weekly calendar out that has my school, practice, and game schedule and then I highlight the times I have available to study. I have also learned that communicating with my teachers is really important. A lot of teachers will actually work with me on due dates if I explain in advance what my week looks like.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My biggest advice to younger players is to stay focused on yourself and your own goals and not care what anyone thinks about you. My parents always told me:&nbsp; “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks” and I always remind myself of that.&nbsp; My other piece of advice is to keep your friendships separate from your volleyball goals. I see players all the time that choose High Schools or clubs to play for because they want to be on a team with their best friends. What is best for your friend is probably not what is best for you. If you really want to be an elite athlete you have to stay focused on your own goals and remember you have to make a lot of sacrifices that most your friends wont want to do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shelby Yoon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":495863,"width":"235px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-25.png" alt="" class="wp-image-495863" style="width:235px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My biggest piece of advice would be to stay diligent, and to stay true to your passion. High school is tough, and top of that, volleyball is a big time commitment. Without a doubt, there will be overwhelming days, but focusing on my priorities, making no excuses, and finding a healthy balance are what helped me excel in both academics and sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always give your full effort on that court. The will to win is stronger than the skill to win. Remember your goals and pursue them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='466906' first='Mia' last='Ferdinand']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":495862,"width":"231px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-24.png" alt="" class="wp-image-495862" style="width:231px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Balancing athletics and academics can be hard because it can mean giving up things that I want to do. During the school season when we would have to leave early for games, I would take time to catch up on classes and do my homework instead of watching the other level's games even though I wanted to. Club is very similar as I have to miss some days of school because of tournament travel. Those days need to be made up so sometimes at tournaments it means waking up early and going to bed late to make sure I'm all caught up with nothing missing. Even when I'm not at tournaments or missing school I have to prioritize academics as I am taking many APs and honors classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With my schedule for club practices and school work, sometimes I have to miss out on hanging out with my friends as they may not always have a similar schedule or classes to me. Some words of wisdom I would give to those in a similar situation as me would be to know your own limits and keep your priorities in mind. Sometimes people need breaks and time to be with their friends, but if academics is important to them they need to know how much time and energy they can spare to focus on what is truly important to them. In the end to me what is truly important to me is my family, my friends, volleyball, and my education.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ava Reyes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":495864,"width":"233px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/image-26.png" alt="" class="wp-image-495864" style="width:233px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To manage all my work i utilize my free time away from volleyball to make sure i stay on top of my class work. If you want to pursue a further volleyball career, you have to know how to balance school and volleyball. I always put school first so i can achieve my dreams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All though i no long have to leave classes for matches, my club schedule is more demanding of my time. My schedule now requires me to do 3-4 hours of practice/ training 3 days a week and this excludes extra time in the gym. The transition between school season and club season requires greater balance when it comes to my studies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>If you were featured, and would like to share your voice, please DM me on Instagram @ PrepDigCA.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->