Kingston Jerome, a senior at Shadow Ridge High School, has accepted a spot at California State University, Northridge. After he finishes his last year of high school volleyball, as well as his last season with Vegas United Volleyball Club, he will go on to become a student athlete at CSUN.
Kingston chose to sign to this college because of many different reasons. He was offered spots from many colleges, however California State stood out to him as the best college he could attend.
Jerome mentions, “I chose this college because it was the best fit for me as an underdog who built his way up at this high school, had the same mentality and was always having to work twice as hard for the goals we needed to reach as a team. There were other Division 1 schools that I talked to but my top interests were Pepperdine, Lindenwood, and Stanford. Including CSUN being my perfect fit.”
Jerome has been playing volleyball since he was little. He started playing different sports at a young age and gradually drifted toward volleyball as it was a family sport.
“I first started playing in 3rd grade, the person who got me into my sport was my mom. I started playing football during my kindergarten year all the way through 2nd grade. I didn’t find it fun at all and wanted to play something different. Both of my parents played volleyball back in high school but never at the collegiate level. I grew up around the sport but I never wanted to try until my mom gave me that push. Now I am here in this position wanting to touch a volleyball almost everyday and never wanting to leave its side,” states Jerome.
As this is his final year playing for club and school, Jerome has found his love for this sport throughout his many years of playing. He had many influences who made him have continuous love for volleyball such as coaches, family members, etc.
“My biggest supporters were my parents, older sister, coaches, and teammates. No matter what I was going through personally or even physically they were always in my corner pushing me back on my feet. Back during my first 16’s season for club volleyball, there was a certain coach who made me believe I could be one of the top players in the country, and so I worked for that very purpose and now I could say confidently I am one of those players. The specific coach was Coach Augustin,” Jerome comments.
This senior has expressed his nervousness about going to school to play and continue being a student athlete due to all the factors of going and playing at a collegiate level. For example the workload of a student athlete is quite hard to maintain while also training multiple times a week. On the other hand, he is looking forward to the different things this college has to offer and help him grow as a person.
He mentions, “What I’m looking forward to the most at Cal State University of Northridge is the collegiate playing level, competing in the best conference against the best colleges in the country. I am hoping that I will come out on top with a national title at the Division 1 Level. I am most nervous about not being able to be at my best from the start and slowly working into my spot on the court. I want to be ready off the jump and go from there. As for a student athlete I will find it hard to start balancing out my personal life with volleyball and trying to keep a level head during my years at college.”
One of the boy’s coaches at the Ridge for the volleyball program is Kylee Schraft as well as coaching at the same club where Jerome plays. She has never coached him at school since he was always on the varsity team, however, she did coach him during his 17’s season at VUVC. She has many positive things to say about him, as well as having guidance to give him as she has seen Jerome advance through his years as a volleyball player.
Schraft states, “With multiple state championships under his belt, Kingston has proven that he is willing to lead the court offensively. He is a key player who can set and attack the ball at a very high level. I think Kingston’s struggles have been playing down to other opponents’ levels at times in his high school career. My advice would be to push through the hard practices and take in the good moments that have led him to where he is now, hold yourself accountable as a young adult and know that so many people are rooting for him to succeed.”
