![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Going Division I. Millions of young athletes across America dream of these three words, pouring their bodies and minds into a single sport. Pressure surrounds these adolescent minds: teammates, friends and even family all take up the frenzied hunt for a roster spot. Consequently, many athletes feel that Division I success is a mandatory milestone of their sports journey.
Yet Jarrett Anderson (’19) tells a different story: joining a travel volleyball team at Mountain View Volleyball Club in his sophomore year of high school, he caught the attention of Springfield College, a Division III program. Four years later, he moved to Grand Canyon University (GCU), a Division I volleyball program, in 2024 and helped the team reach the NCAA Semifinals. Looking back, Anderson noted how such athletic success was merely a far-flung dream in his childhood.
“I have two older siblings who also played collegiate sports,” Anderson said. “They were role models. I definitely wanted to go to Southern California and play D1. I had never even considered Springfield when they reached out to me—they were D3, but I gave them a visit and ended up really enjoying the campus. It was an unexpected blessing in disguise.”
Despite starting club volleyball later than his peers, Anderson attracted Springfield’s attention with his energy on court, complemented by his 6-foot-5 frame. A string of successes with both Harker’s varsity volleyball team and his club team furthered Anderson’s dedication to the sport.
“During my junior year [with Harker], we went to the CCS Finals and then NorCal Finals,” Anderson said. “Although we ultimately didn’t have the outcome we wanted to, it still was a truly amazing experience and something that made me think, ‘Wow, I really do love this sport, and I want to keep pursuing it.’”
Entering his first season for Springfield, Anderson remembers reeling from the higher level of play. Although he faced taller and more athletic opponents recruited from across the country, Anderson focused on the controllable aspects of his game, particularly his serve. Upon leaving Springfield four years later, Anderson had accrued 250 aces, the highest in the nation.
“If you emphasize doing things constantly over and over and over again, you’re going to build great habits that develop you into the player that you want to be,” Anderson said. “In college, even in the offseason, four or five hours of my morning is just completely dedicated to volleyball.”
Hailing from Harker, Anderson was no stranger to the demands of student-athlete life. Liam York, his roommate and teammate of four years, recalls Anderson splitting most of his time between the gym, the library, and their dorm. Although Anderson was naturally introverted by nature, he realized the growing role he needed to fill on Springfield’s team.
“In the first two years, I was kind of just observing how things were, just going through the motions,” Anderson said. “But my junior and senior year, I had to take a bigger role taking accountability for the team and learning to push others the right way and do what I can to help everyone improve around me.”
After four record-breaking seasons at Springfield, Anderson transferred to GCU to finish two extra seasons of collegiate volleyball granted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“[Anderson’s] dream was always to play Division I,” York said. “Everyone always told him, ‘You’re not big enough to compete at that level.’ But that never stopped him from having that drive, that willingness to never give up . I can’t say how proud I am of him for proving himself and earning a starting spot at the Division I level.”
A tough streak of games during the regular season prompted star player Camden Gianni to move positions, freeing up a spot in the starting lineup for Anderson. Ending the season third in efficiency and tenth in service aces across the conference, Anderson’s formidable presence propelled GCU to a tight five-set loss in the semifinals against eventual runner-ups Long Beach State University.
“GCU’s a smaller school, but we always get a good outing every home game that impacts the whole team,” Anderson said. “We feed off energy, we feed off each other. We like getting competitive, riling each other up and going after our opponents together. I’m definitely thankful, because not a lot of schools get this atmosphere.”
As Anderson currently prepares to spend his final season of collegiate volleyball at GCU, he considers playing professionally after college. A veteran at the recruiting process, Anderson views playing overseas as simply another step in his journey.
“I tell myself this, [and] I just want to let everyone know: there’s an opportunity for you,” Anderson said. “Stay within yourself, believe in yourself and work hard at every chance you get because playing your sport, maybe playing D1, is an amazing opportunity. If it’s something you dream about, give the best you can if you really want to become the player that you want to be.”
