Vanessa Lall

• Optimistic
• Humble
• Hard-working
• Empathetic
• Ambitious

I work hard so that I can be a reliable teammate that gives my team the confidence to give it their all on the court. I continuously push myself to improve which has an overall positive effect on my teammates as they too become more committed to our team’s goals. I highly respect my teammates and coaches, and I am always grateful for an opportunity to learn from them. As someone who has played individual sports all of my life up until volleyball, I love the collaborative/team aspect of volleyball, and this allows me to build strong relationships with my teammates. I always encourage and support them which not only contributes to a positive team environment, but also motivates them to play their best.

• Gold in Tier 9 at Nationals (2024)
• OVA Award of Excellence (2024)

Winning gold at Nationals was an unforgettable experience. It proved to me and my team that our hard work, dedication and perseverance paid off. As well, it boosted my confidence and motivation for future challenges.
Receiving the OVA Award of Excellence was special to me because my teammates were the ones who selected me to receive this award. I felt so grateful and honoured that my teammates recognized me as an athlete who displays such characteristics and it inspires me to work harder to improve myself.

Outside of sports, I enjoy travelling with my family as well as exercising and cooking.

I love to explore the world and experience new cultures, food, music and see different lifestyles. I am extremely fortunate that I can travel frequently and create special memories with my family. Additionally, photography is one of my hobbies, so I always bring my camera with me when I travel.
I have always been an active person, whether I am playing sports, going to the gym or both, I have a genuine happiness when I am at the gym, field and court. I know that if I want to be successful in a sport and stay active in the long-term, it all starts with having the proper support and strength. Not only does working out make me stronger and healthier, it also gives me a way to balance school work and other responsibilities.

I enjoy cooking because it is my creative outlet where I can experiment with new recipes. I take great care into what I eat because good nutrition is very important for an athlete, so being able to cook balanced dishes is beneficial.

My role model is Roger Federer, a retired Swiss top ranked professional tennis player. Growing up playing tennis, I watched many of Federer’s matches, most of the time in awe of his play style and ability to adapt his game to whatever the circumstances demanded. His exceptional skill, sportsmanship and professionalism on and off the court is inspirational. Additionally, his dedication, hard work and respectful behaviour towards opponents exemplify excellence in sports. I admire him for his mental toughness and humility. He always remained graceful and humble in his defeats and wins. Moreover, it was from him that I learned how important mental strength is when competing in a sport. Whether he was tired, losing, injured, or whatever, he was mentally and emotionally in control, maintaining his focus in each point which ultimately led him to win many matches. He motivates me to work hard to imbibe these traits and be the best volleyball athlete I can be.

I believe that it is so important for personal growth and learning to be involved in diverse sports and extracurriculars.

Although, I do not play tennis as often as I did before starting volleyball, I do play with my family occasionally.

At school, I enjoy being involved in many clubs and teams. I’ve been on the badminton, tennis, volleyball and cross country team. As well, I have been a part of the Athletic Council, Model UN club, HOSA club and Math club.
I was also a Chair on my city’s Youth Council. All of these activities have allowed me to meet amazing people, have great experiences and learn many things.

My academic highlight is getting a 95% average in my Grade 11 year. Being an IB student as well as an athlete was very challenging. Managing the heavy workload and deadlines with the practices and tournaments made me hone my time management and planning skills. Getting my grades back was proof of my hard work and it showed that I was capable of doing both of the things that are important to me.

I would like to attend an Environmental Sciences program.

I have always had a passion for protecting natural resources, improving sustainability practices, and making a positive impact on the planet.

I envision my post-secondary school life to be a place where I can obtain my academic goals, meet amazing people and grow as an athlete, student and individual. It is a place where I can pursue the topics I am interested in while getting the opportunity to play the sport that I love. I envision it as a school where I feel connected and excited to play alongside other athletes who share the same passion for volleyball as I do.