Shadow Ridge does not fall flat when it comes to hosting many talented athletes, senior Leimaile Lasike has decided to take her game to the next level by committing to play Division 1 volleyball at Stony Brook University in New York.
The recruitment process is not simple, however Stony Brook set themselves apart to help make Lasike’s decision easy.
“My recruitment process was long and often overwhelming. With Stony Brook it was different, I clicked with Coach Amie so quickly. I remember our first call was on May 1st, my birthday! She wanted to know about me as a person more than as a player. Since then Stony Brook has always been in my top 3,” Lasike says.
While Lasike has not had it entirely easy throughout her career thus far, it is exciting to see that through the ups and downs, she has decided to continue to do amazing things.
“My career has been a total of wins and losses. I’ve won medals, tournaments, and made lifelong friends while playing this sport. I’ve played volleyball since I was 8, and fell in love with it all over again 1 year ago when I came back from my ACL reconstruction. My biggest achievement is coming back to this sport after my injury. I mostly play for the athletes who didn’t return to their sport; the athletes who put their body and mind through the whole process of recovery but decided life goes on,” says Lasike.
Injury is always a major setback for any athlete. Injury weeds out the undedicated at times. For Lasike, injury pushed her to where she is today.
“When I tore my ACL it was like my career was over, not literally but most definitely a major setback that I wasn’t planning on having. I was put in an embarrassing situation of having to come to school with a brace and crutches; people are nicer to you if you look broken! Mentally I was in the darkest place and physically I wasn’t in better shape. I felt like I was running a race yet getting nowhere,” Lasike says. “I remember opening Instagram and seeing girls my age commit to D1 schools, while I was wondering if I was ever going to play again. At five months I returned to the court and I wanted to be the top player, the starter, and make a comeback. At the beginning of my senior year I took one of the biggest risks of my life, and asked my mom to take a trip to New York with me. I fell in love with Long Island and Stoney Brook. My journey with volleyball hasn’t been the easiest and at times not enjoyable, but I’ve seen every last day through and I’m so glad I did.”
From beginning to end, Lasike has been a member of the volleyball team here at Shadow. Through her time here, Mustang volleyball has had an impact on her.
Lasike says, “Since I was a freshman at Shadow I was taught discipline. I took this trait into every aspect of my life like sports, schoolwork, and eventually college!”
While volleyball has taught her many lessons on the court, some translate off the court as well. Lasike’s long career has led her to many helpful things to pass on to the next generation of volleyball players.
“Get up. No matter what, in volleyball, you must get up. When you’re on the court or in life you must get up,” Lasike says.
Lasike has one year of Mustang volleyball left to play filled with many goals she’s set for herself.
Lasike adds, “My last year at Shadow I want it to be beyond memorable! I want to work hard and go up against teams all across the valley. Like everyone, I want to win. If I walk away with some new friends, memories, and a state ring then I’d say it was a great season!”
While she has one more season with the Mustangs to look forward to, that doesn’t dismiss her excitement to join the Seawolves very soon.
Lasike says, “I was most excited about team bondings! The girls at Stoney Brook love ice cream and I absolutely adore that they do weekly trips!”
