Season: 2018

Maddie Taitano

Maddie Taitano | Sports Recruits

About Me

Audrey Hepburn inspires me the most. Not only does she have great fashion sense, but she is a talented and incredible person! Her perseverance and survival in World War II instilled the deep value of empathy for others in her. She exemplified this through her work as an ambassador for UNICEF, advocating for children in crisis, and raising awareness about other humanitarian causes. She also inspired young girls that “True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.” Her elegance, timeless style, and unwavering compassion for others is truly inspiring and what I aspire to embody!

Something special about me that many people don’t know is that I was born 12 weeks early! I am a proud NICU baby!  In five years, I see myself having completed my bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s and my master’s from Notre Dame. By then, I plan to be a CPA but am also interested in investment banking. I see myself landing a job at Goldman Sachs or Deloitte. I also see myself living in New York, Chicago, or even abroad in London or Paris. Either way I see myself traveling a lot whether it’s for work or exploring the world! Alongside my career, I hope to be running my own fashion brand.  I want to thank my Mom, Dad, and my older sister, Jessy, for the constant support and love that they have provided me all these years! Also, my Bellarmine and Puget Sound family! And most of all God!

  • High School: Bellarmine Preparatory School
  • Hometown: Tacoma, WA
  • College Commitment: Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame & University of Notre Dame
  • Degree Pursuing: BS in Business Administration + MS in Accountancy at ND
  • Years at PSVBA: 9

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Offensive Player of the Year 3A PSL (Sr)
  • First Team Washington All-State 3A (Sr)
  • First Team All-League 3A PSL (Sr)
  • Tacoma News Tribune All-Area First Team (Sr)
  • 2X MVP Bellarmine Prep Varsity Volleyball (Jr, Sr)
  • Tacoma Athletic Commission Fall Athlete of the Year Nominee
  • 2X Varsity Team Captains Award (Jr, Sr)
  • First Team All-League 4A SPSL (Jr)
  • Honorable Mention Washington All-State Team 4A (Jr)
  • Honorable Mention All-League SPSL (So)
  • 5x Qualified USAV Nationals Championships

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • St. Vincent de Paul ‘21 Salutatorian
  • National Honors Society
  • 2X Senior/Executive Yearbook Editor
  • Campus Ministry Rector
  • 2X Knights of Columbus Scholarship Recipient
  • Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Leader for Bellarmine Prep Athletics

MY FAVORITES

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9

  • Volleyball Memories:  I cherish every match that qualified my club team for Nationals! I was able to share those sweet moments with my Dad on the bench! He had coached us every year we qualified, that’s what made it so memorable. Another one of my favorite memories was when my high school team, Bellarmine Prep Lions, punched our ticket to State my junior and senior year!
  • Song: Adventure of Lifetime – Coldplay
  • Color: Baby Pink and Tiffany Blue

Advice I would give to younger players is “Embrace many of the trials and tribulations you might face! Some of the most profound lessons that have stuck with me came from my greatest struggles in my career.  So, stick with it and do not give up! Keep working hard and you will reap the benefits.”

Layne Dent

Layne Dent | Sports Recruits

About Me

The person that inspires me the most is my

older sister Maren; she has been such a good role model for me on how to navigate life.  Many people don’t know that I write with my left hand but play with my right.  One of my most memorable volleyball moments is winning the Northern Lights Qualifier U17s, Pat’s reaction was so good.  In five years, I see myself taking a 5th year to continue to go to college and play volleyball.  I would like to thank my parents; they have always been supportive. Driving me to practices and games. Helping me figure out what to do during hard times.

  • High School: Cascade Christian
  • Hometown: Eatonville, WA
  • College Commitment: Saint Mary’s College of California
  • Degree Pursuing: Psychology
  • Years at PSVBA: 9

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • All League MVP
  • News Tribune All-Area 1st Team
  • 1A WIAA State 1st Team
  • Set School Record for Kills

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Homecoming Queen

MY FAVORITES

“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” -1 Corinthians 10:31

  • Color: Pink

Advice I would give to younger players is “A

lways work hard to have fun during practices and games, it goes by faster than you think.“

 

Brooklyn Thesenvitz

About Me

My mom, dad, brother, and sister inspire me everyday. I can not pick one person.  My mom is kind and understanding and knows me so well. I talk to her about everything, and she pushes me to always do the right thing. My dad will always give me the facts. He is honest with me, and he always guides me down the right path. My brother is very driven and goal oriented, which helps me to keep my own goals in check. My sister is the most empathetic person I’ve ever met. She is a constant reminder that I should always have love in my heart for others.  Something about me that most people don’t know is I am very talented at doodling.  I see myself being a 1st grade teacher with a very trendy and aesthetic classroom.  I’d like to thank my mom and dad, and my first coach at Puget Sound, Coach Mike. He believed in me when I played my first year at Puget Sound and has always supported me throughout these last 6 years.

  • High School: Kennedy Catholic
  • Hometown: Burien, WA
  • College Attending: Whatcom College
  • Degree Pursuing: Elementary Education
  • Years at PSVBA: 6

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Being a strong leader and captain
  • making varsity all 4 years of high school
  • Receiving a scholarship to play college volleyball

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Making amazing friends
  • Growing as a person and finding things that make me happy
  • Getting closer with my family

MY FAVORITES

Inspirational Quote: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:13

  • Song: SOS by Rihanna, but I would call that more of a hype song
  • Color: Green

My most memorable volleyball moments are:

  • Going to state my junior and senior year
  • Doing the western volleyball camp with my high school team
  • Singing the national anthem on senior night
  • Going to Vegas with my mom both times this year and eating way to much frozen yogurt
  • Doing escape rooms
  • Study hall 17s year
  • Going to Indianapolis with my dad 14s year

Advice for younger players

If the server keeps acing you, just smile when she tosses it cause odds are you’re overthinking it.

 

Paige Sugg

  • High School: Decatur High School
  • Hometown: Federal Way, WA
  • University Attending: University of Redlands
  • Degree Pursuing: Exercise Science

Volleyball Accomplishments:  Being able to see the change in my skill and seeing my improvement. As well committing to college to continue my love for the sport.

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments: Being able to grow up and learn how to do things on my own, and graduating high school, as well deciding what college I’m spending the next 4 years of my life at.

My most memorable volleyball moments are the Matt Hartner Tournament in Oregon in my 16s year – our first day of the tournament we wore my moms shirts and played for her.  As well, being able to play for 2 of my favorite coaches at psvba this year!

My Favorites:

Inspirational Quote: “attitude is everything” – Heather Sugg

Motivational Song: Determinate – from the movie lemonade mouth

Favorite Color: forest green

I’m inspired by My mom. She inspires me the most, because she fought so hard after being diagnosed. She never let her attitude or how hard it was get in the way of how she lived her life. She always taught me that being yourself and fighting for what you believe in is the best way to “survive” life.

Something about me that most people don’t know about me I would say is my humor.  Not many people know my sense of humor because it takes me a little bit to open up to people. Also outside of volleyball and school i am very adventurous and love the outdoors.

In five (5) years I see myself graduating college, and starting my new life of being an athletic trainer.

Some advice I’d like to give younger players is Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, it’s okay! there is not one person who doesn’t make a mistake. Also, just be your self, have fun with the sport. You can’t enjoy a sport if you don’t make it fun.

I would thank Coach Kyla and Katlyn, my dad and Sydney Locke. They all helped me get through so much, and always made sure that i was doing okay. They were definitely a big part of why i was able to continue to love the sport and want to further my career.

 

Sydney Downing

Sydney’s Volleyball Profile

  • High School: Sumner High School
  • Hometown: Sumner, WA
  • University Committed: Linfield University
  • Degree Pursuing: Exercise Science with a Pre-Med Focus

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Four Year Varsity Player
  • Sumner High School Program MVP
  • 2 Year Captain
  • All League Honorable Mention (2021)

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • 100+ Community Service Hours
  • Student of the Year Award (2018)
  • National Honors Society
  • Member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
  • Honor Roll (Every Semester SHS)
  • Dean’s List (Green River College)
  • Running Start Student

My Favorites:

  • Memorable Moments:  Team rooms, team bonding at Ruston, spending time with the team at travel tournaments, staying late after practice and talking in the parking lot, and when we forked and coned Kyla and Katlyn’s house.
  • Inspirational Quote: You always wonder what you could have done differently, but there is always the healthier part that says you integrate it and you get on. You never get over it, you just get used to it. You get calloused a little bit harder maybe, but take these tragic things and turn them into something meaningful and worthy of the loss. – Mark Ruffalo
  • Motivational Song: Lean on Me – Bill Withers
  • Favorite color: Aqua

I’m inspired by my papa. Growing up, he never swore, he never yelled, and he never had a bad thing to say about anything or anyone. After he suffered a stroke and suffered complete right side paralysis, he never stopped working to get better for himself and for his family. As hard of a situation he is faced with everyday, he continues to never complain and look for the positives in every aspect of his life.

Something most people don’t know about me is the blue spot on my left arm is a birthmark, not a bruise.

In five (5) years I will most likely be in a doctoral or graduate program.

Some advice I’d give to younger players is understand that you are not perfect. Have confidence in yourself and put faith into the training you have put hard work into.

Thank you to My Parents!