
Balancing school and sports isn’t easy, but Andrea Resendez, an outside hitter on San Gabriel High School’s varsity volleyball team has been doing it for four years. Throughout high school, she has dedicated most of her time competing for both San Gabriel High School and numerous club teams, all while balancing an academic schedule that includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
“I manage my time between academics and volleyball by using my free time wisely,” Andrea says. “Whenever I have extra time in class, I make sure to stay productive and complete as much as possible to make balancing the two easier.”
Still, even with careful planning, it’s still challenging for Andrea. She admits, “The hardest part is trying to give 100% effort and dedication into both. It’s hard to stay on top of school assignments and achieve good grades while also dedicating 10+ hours to volleyball each week.” Taking AP classes, which come with heavier work loads, essays, and projects, adds a thicker layer of difficulty. Andrea has learned to do assignments efficiently whether it’s during her free sixth period and even while waiting to play her next match.
Andrea’s day to day schedule is packed and starts by waking up at 6 a.m. to get ready for school, packing her supplies, lunch, and volleyball bag. After classes from 7:30 AM to 2:07 PM, she goes straight to practice or a game. By the time she gets home, usually between 7 and 8 p.m., there’s just enough time for Andrea to shower, eat dinner, and squeeze in homework or studying before doing it all over again the next day. Late nights are common for Andrea, especially when balancing AP coursework with late practices, she has learned the importance of discipline and focus.
Years of year-round volleyball games and practices have also brought injuries, from sore shoulders to sprained knees, but she’s learned to listen to her body. “Although I was injured, my mind kept pushing me to keep going, in fear of letting everyone, my parents, teammates, and coaches down,” she states. “Now I know it’s okay to take a break and prioritize my health. Missing a game or practice isn’t the end of the world. What matters is showing up and trying my best once I’m healed.”
Despite the grind and injuries, her passion for volleyball has never faded. Her biggest motivation comes from her parents who push her to do her best in both academics and sports. In spite of the challenges, what she loves most is her team. Andrea says, “The thing I enjoy most about volleyball is my teammates and the friendships you build with them. We spend lots of time practicing, playing games, and attending tournaments, so having a great group of people to be around is great.”
Andrea shares her biggest tips for other students which she states, “Stay on top of your schoolwork. If you keep up with homework and maintain good grades, then the athlete part is easy. And if you don’t have anything to worry about then you can focus on having fun and enjoy your high school experience. Students come before athletes for a reason.”