Every sport has them: the doubters, the comments, and the expectation that some athletes won’t be able to make it in the long run. Senior Jasmine Del Rio has heard her fair share of skeptics as a setter that didn’t match the typical position. 

“You’re too small. Maybe [being a] setter [is] not your position,” said numerous coaches.

Now, she has committed to Whittier College in Whittier, California, where she’ll continue her volleyball journey as a setter at the collegiate level.

Volleyball began with her older brother, who coached her during her first two years. “I always looked up to him growing up, and I wanted to be just like him.” By eighth grade, she joined club volleyball and began to take the sport seriously, with the goal to compete in college.

However, Del Rio realized that she often faced suggestions to switch positions or scale down her ambitions. “I’m not the tallest player on the court,” Del Rio admitted. “It took time to get noticed. But I’ve always tried to make up for that by moving well and making smart decisions. There are great setters who aren’t the tallest, like Sade Ilawole and Debbie Green Vargas,” she said. “Seeing them succeed showed me that I could, too.”

One of her proudest moments came last year, when she and her team won CIF and defeated rival Crescenta Valley High School. Del Rio’smost memorable moment, however, came during her club season. “Competing with my new team at Nationals this year and ranking fifth overall meant a lot,” she said.  “We overcame so many challenges that season, and it was just a great experience overall.”

When it came time to choose a college, Del Rio found what she was looking for at Whittier. “The team was amazing, but it was really the environment that made it easy to say yes. The coaches have built a strong program, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” she said.

Del Rio credits her growth to the people around her. “My family has always been my biggest support system,” she said. “Coaches Rae and Rich have pushed me particularly hard, and I’ve met some of my closest friends through volleyball. They’ve been there for me on and off the court.”

As high school comes to an end, Del Rio says she’s ready to take the next step. “I can’t wait to play at a higher level and continue improving. Keep pushing toward your goals. Don’t let anyone limit you. Touch every ball, get every rep, and take the time to enjoy the people around you.”