Arissa Shepherd's Volleyball Journey
Once I discovered volleyball after playing competitive soccer as a small kid, I knew that it was not just an extracurricular activity. It was my passion. I was first exposed to the sport at a summer camp in my hometown of Dacula, Georgia at age 8 or so. This led to a 5 year period of volleyball training at Suwanee Sports Academy where I typically trained with high school girls even as a middle schooler. I moved on to Club ball at age 13.
Both of my parents are college-educated so my brother and I are very aware of the importance of college education and the advantages it provides moving forward. I am interested aspects of law, international affairs, and sports management. I maintain a 4.0+ weighted GPA, participated in the DUKE T.I.P. academic program. I am on the Honor Roll, in the German Language Honor Society, and have credit for 3 college courses based on 3 AP tests taken so far. I am active in various leadership positions within my Girl Scout troop, Dacula Leadership Team and have been fortunate enough to experience different cultures through international travel. In 2019, I was inducted into the Beta Club and National Honor Society. I was elected Junior Class President in 2020. I have played Club volleyball with the highly competitive GA5 (now A5 Gwinnett) Club based in Suwanee, Georgia. I was a starting outside hitter on the 13-1s and 14-1s team. I consistently led the team in most hitting and serving statistics. Because I also played all-around, I was typically second in "digs" statistics only to the libero. In addition to performance, I was also one of the team captains both years. In the summer of 2018, I made the varsity team at Dacula High School as a rising freshman, which is somewhat rare at the school. Our team made it to State, and I led the team in Kills. I also made All-Region Team (Georgia 8AAAAAA - honorable mention), All-Gwinnett County Team (honorable mention) and was selected MVP of my varsity team as a freshman in 2018. I was one of 3 team members the also received a Dacula High School Scholar Athlete award. I was captain of my GA5 (now A5 Gwinnett) 15-1s and 16-1s club teams during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons and led the team in several statistical categories including Kills. I also played all 6 rotations. I am currently a returning member of the Dacula High School varsity team. In 2019, I made 1st Team All Region, 1st Team GHSA All-County, 2nd Team Gwinnett Daily Post All-County and became the 2nd all-time in Kills at my high school. I have also surpassed 550 Kills and 600 Digs as a sophomore. I was also voted the 2019 team MVP, for the 2nd year in a row and was selected MVP of the MVP School of Sports High School All Star game. In 2020, I have been named one of the Gwinnett Daily Post's Super 6 in the county. I recently broke Dacula High School's Career kill record early in my junior season and was selected to the 2020 8AAAAAA All-Region Team. If I had to identify what stands out about me, I would say that I am a 16-year old 5'9 outside hitter that can also play the defensive specialist position effectively. I also have a knowledge of the sport and strategy of the game beyond playing the sport. I typically DVR many NCAA games during the season and spend time breaking down the various plays, strategies, and formations that schools use. I think this may be one reason coaches have often asked me to serve as a team captain. I am a leader on the court and in my academic activities. I cherish team bonds and accomplishing goals as a unit. In the summer of 2020, I began offering volleyball lessons to young girls in my community. My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc5yWPuKymhcLhI54XeJeFQ My Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/profile/12562026/Arissa-Shepherd On Twitter: @arissashepherd |