15-year-old Madelyn Shimkus is academically and athletically successful. She has been a part of the junior varsity volleyball team for two years as an outside hitter. As a sophomore, Madelyn has found it hard to “practice every day and still have time for homework”. Volleyball is a high priority in her life, but she still finds it important to keep up with her academics. Madelyn said, “I am taking some hard classes such as U.S. History Honors”. These classes come with a lot of assignments in which Madelyn strives to complete to reach her goal of Straight A’s. Although school has not been the only challenge to Madelyn. She was set back with a dislocated kneecap injury, but pushed through and has gotten “back in the game after being out for 3 weeks”, she said. She says her passion for this sport came from “trying every other sport and when I started volleyball, I clicked with it”. Madelyn’s love for the sport is not only restricted to the school team but also, she said, “I play for the Heat Team, which is an indoor club”. One of her favorite memories on the volleyball team is “the tournament at Calvary. We placed first.” Sometimes there is a loss on the court, but she pushes through that challenge too. “I feel my motivation to reach my goals is the reason I achieve as much as I do”, said Madelyn.