Grace Holstrom | Sports Recruits

About Me

Someone that inspires me so much is my high school volleyball coach, Christie Oldright. She has taught me how to believe in myself, push myself beyond my limits, and how to compete. She is strong, passionate, and loves the game, and she has taught me so many valuable lessons that I can implement in my future as a student athlete and for that I am forever grateful.  Something about me that many people don’t know is my love for ceramics. I love art as a whole, but this is my favorite medium to work with. I love being creative and working hands-on!

I can see myself beginning to pursue my dream career in graphic design. I am hoping to build connections throughout college and build a network for future internship/job opportunities that may arise.  I would like to thank my family for sacrificing so much for me to be able to play the sport that I love. They have worked so hard and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I would also like to thank all of my high school and club coaches for always believing in me and always pushing me to be the best version of myself I can be. I have had such positive change in my life because of these people and I can thank them for the person I am today.

• High School: Olympia
• Hometown: Olympia, WA
• College Commitment: Seattle Pacific University
• Degree Pursuing: Business & Graphic Design
• Years at PSVBA: 1

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• WIAA State 4A – 6th place 2022
• WIAA State 4A – 3rd place 2023
• 4X time state participant
• All-State Honorable Mention (2024)
• 2X Coaches Award
• 3X Varsity Team Captain Award
• SPSL All League 2nd Team 2023
• SPSL All League 1st Team 2024

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• State Award – 1st Place for Ceramic Box
• State Award – 3rd Place for Ceramic Jar

MY FAVORITES

If you want something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done.

• Volleyball Memories: Some of my most memorable volleyball moments were going to state– whether it be listening to music on the bus, the fun nights at the hotel, winning games and advancing, making it to the semifinals in 2023–it was so fun to just be there to compete. I will also forever cherish my high school retreat we did every year at Cispus for team building. Hype time in the locker room was one of my favorites too!
• Song: Walking On A Dream by Empire of the Sun.
• Color: Orange

I would tell young club players to not put too much pressure on yourself. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to have bad days. But that is what makes you better. Just play loose and have fun, because that is when you do best. Let go of the worries you can’t control, don’t compare yourself to the others around you. Focus on you and your personal progress and always have a positive mindset. With hard work and consistency, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Dora Karlo | Sports Recruits

About Me

My dad inspires me because he understands me like no one else.  He went through everything that I am going through and he always knows how to motivate me and push me to be my best self.  In 5 years from now, I see myself pushing myself to get better, playing volleyball and finishing up college.  After that, on my way to go back to Europe and hoping to play professionally.  I want to thank God, my family, host family, friends, and coaches for supporting me throughout my career!

• High School: Charles Wright Academy
• Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
• College Commitment: Navarro College
• Degree Pursuing: Business
• Years at PSVBA: 2

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Winning many National Championships in Croatia
• 2X High School Team Captain (Jr, Sr)
• 2X 1st Team All-League (Jr, Sr)

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• ASSIST Scholar Selection – Full Scholarship
• Exchange Student

MY FAVORITES

Inspirational Quote:  “The principle is competing against yourself.  It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” – by My Dad (it’s not his quote but he always tells me this)

• Song: svijet voli pobjednike – colonia
• Color: Purple
• Other: I like stuffed animals

Advice I would give to younger players

 

Work hard.  Have dreams, but dreams without goals are just dreams so, know your goals. But have smaller goals that will get you to your big goals, and then by completing the smaller ones everyday you will achieve the big ones!

About Me

Blue is my favorite color and I like the song ” I serve the bass” by future.  My little sister Makayla inspires me to do my best because I refuse to be the worse at volleyball out of the two of us.  My most memorable volleyball moment was when I went to Arizona with my high school team and we were able to play other teams at such a high level.  Something that most people don’t know about me is I really enjoy playing the piano.  In 5 years, I see myself continuing my education to become a gynecologist.  I would like to thank both of my parents and my sister, Makayla. I would also like to thank every coach I’ve had the honor of working with throughout my volleyball career.

• High School: Emerald Ridge
• Hometown: Puyallup, WA
• College Attending: Undecided
• Degree Pursuing: Biology
• Years at PSVBA: 3

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Going to nationals my 16s year while playing for Puget sound.

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Becoming a first-generation college student and making my parents proud.

Advice for younger players

I would tell them to be confident in themselves even if they must fake it because it will eventually feel natural. Also always have fun!

About Me

I’m inspired by my high school volleyball coach Loni, inspires me the most. She has been through so much and still pushes herself to give 100% with everything she does.  Something about me that most people don’t know is I want to travel around the world and help others in need.  In 5 years, I hope to be working as a nurse, either doing travel nursing or labor and delivery.  I’d like to thank my family.  My parents have done so much to make volleyball happen for me. My family has always been my biggest supporters.

• High School: Graham Kapowsin
• Hometown: Puyallup, WA
• College Attending: Grand Canyon University
• Degree Pursuing: Nursing
• Years at PSVBA: 3

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Winning state with my high school volleyball team my senior year.

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Graduating with my Associate Degree by the end of high school.

My most memorable volleyball moments:

• Every single state championship tournament with my high school team.
• And nationals with my club team.

MY FAVORITES

Inspirational Quote: You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” -Serena Williams

• Motivational or Inspirational Song: I bet you won’t – Level
• Color: Blue

Advice for younger players

Have fun while it lasts!

 

Annalise’s Volleyball Profile

• High School: Emerald Ridge
• Hometown: Puyallup, WA
• University Committed: Carroll College
• Degree Pursuing: Nursing

Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Most Inspirational (ERHS)
• Most Improved Player (ERHS)
• Sportsmanship award for high school

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

• Top 20 Senior for my high school
• Vice President of National honor society
• Senior class secretary

My Favorites:

• Memorable Moment: Winning SPSL league championship senior season!
• Inspirational Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill
• Motivational Song: Party in the USA -Miley Cyrus
• Favorite color: Blue

I’m inspired by my mom because she is dedicated and overflows with compassion and patience with everyone she works with or is around. She pushes me to be the best version of myself and reminds me daily of what I need to be grounded in. She pushes me to pursue my faith daily and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I love you mom!

Something most people don’t know about me is I really love to make art, especially pottery and painting, but I don’t do it very often because I don’t have a lot of time. When I do have time though, it brings me a lot of joy and peace.

In five (5) years I see myself working in a hospital as a labor and delivery nurse, while working to get my master’s degree as a nurse practitioner. I hope to have my own apartment and to have a dog, specifically a golden retriever 🙂

My advice to any younger player is to work to be the best person and have the best attitude that you can in whatever role you are placed in. Whether it is on the court or on the bench, have a great attitude, encourage your teammates, and respect your coaches. One of the best things about volleyball is your teammates, so walk into the gym every day with the mindset that you are going to be the best teammate. You can only control what you can control, and being a good teammate is one of those things, so make a positive impact and create a good culture. This will get you more respect from your teammates and coaches then being the “star athlete.” Your coaches will notice a player being positive and impactful over one that is not, so be the noticeable one.

I want to first thank my parents. They have invested so much time and money into my volleyball career and experience, so I couldn’t have done it without them. They have loved and supported me through this journey that started 6 years ago, and they continue to love and support everything I am doing as a move onto the next stage of my career and life in college. I want to thank all of my coaches that I have had because everyone has grown me in such different areas whether it be volleyball or life skills. I want to specifically thank Coach Kasey Yost, who I started my volleyball journey with, because he instilled in me my passion and love for the sport and I wouldn’t be pursuing college ball without his influence on me. Also, I want to specifically thank Coach Bobby and Jill for investing in me and coaching me the past 3 years at ER and also my last year at Puget Sound. I have learned so much from them, and I wouldn’t be pursuing my dreams of college volleyball without their support and help along the way. Lastly, I want to thank all of my teammates throughout my whole career. The relationships I have and everyone I have met along the way have taught me so much. I am forever grateful for all of the memories that have come from playing over my career, and specifically this past season at puget sound, with my teammates. I have had so much fun this season and I am going to miss everyone so much!