Student Voice: What It Takes to be a D1 Athlete

What it takes to be a D1 athlete

By Aliyah Moore, 12th Grader at Valley Vista High School

Athletes work hard day and night in hopes of exposing their best selves. To play professionally or represent your country at the Olympics are common goals for many athletes today. My dream was to play Division 1 (D1) volleyball, and my dream came true when I committed to Illinois State University in 2019. It was not a quick journey, but with the right mindset and proper preparation, it can be easier to reach your goals. My focus has stayed on how to better myself, prepare for playing at the next level, and taking care of my body.

The importance of mental health is tremendous in the sports world, and that has been my number one priority. I struggled with having a consistently strong mental game throughout competitions. However, these simple things helped me develop focus and a “D1” mentality. They include visualization the night before games, reading books on mental health for athletes, and taking the time to reflect on my performance after games. The biggest enemy in sports is your mind. Therefore, it is imperative to use positive, encouraging thoughts rather than beating yourself up. Most importantly, trust the process. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistency and dedication to yourself to achieve your goals.

Another aspect of a “D1” mentality has to do with physical health. Stretching, using muscle rollers, and icing after games increase your flexibility and decrease the possibility of injury. It is so important to take care of your body before and after competitions. Completely stretching your muscles out before a game makes a big difference in how you feel after. Being an outside hitter for volleyball, electronic stimulation (STIM) on my shoulder, ice baths, and yoga have become staples in my aftercare routine to ensure my muscles are properly taken care of. Diet and hydration are large contributors to your performance as well. Throughout my day I make sure to drink at least 64-96 ounces of water to be properly hydrated for practice. As an athlete, you need fuel and hydration to get through the day and additional competition. Also, I cannot stress this enough, breakfast is so important. As an athlete you should never skip a meal, and personally, I snack throughout the day as well. The night before tournaments or competition I load up on carbohydrates to prepare for the next day. It’s not about how much you eat, but paying attention to what you are eating, because what you put into your body determines what you get out of it.

Lastly, in the offseason, I make sure to stay in shape with runs around my neighborhood, core exercises, and upper body strengthening without weights or gym equipment. Keeping all muscle groups engaged is so important so they aren’t in shock when getting back into it. Rewatching film from the previous year and taking note of positives and negatives is also an offseason ritual of mine.

Overall, to make it as a D1 athlete in my opinion, just make sure to stay engaged and positive. Give 110% in everything you do, whether it’s in school or on the court. Remember that you are a student-athlete, and school is more important than your sport. Use what you learn on the court including leadership, teamwork, and communication, and embed it into your everyday life.