Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Fitzgerald.
Hi Jordan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started as an all-star cheerleader I was the main tumbler on my team and had lots of fun, but I really wanted to try something new people kept saying I should try volleyball I kept thinking about it, but what really pushed me to play was my sister. I saw how my sister is having so much fun playing so I thought maybe this will be worth a shot. I ended up playing and started club volleyball at 11 yrs old on a two team and worked my way up to be added to the top team. Once I made it to the top team, I played even tougher competion and met so many new and awesome people. Ever since I started playing club, I have fought tough battles mentally and physically. Mentally is during game point I had soared the ball out and we ended up losing I knew it wasn’t my fault even, so I still blamed myself. That point was just repeating in my head so I decided to put in work to make sure that never happens again and people will be able to trust me to finish the game. During school season I ended up getting set the same ball instead of making a mistake I bounced it right back in their face. This current year I had torn my acl right before qualifier season I was very sad and didn’t want to believe it but eventually I had too. I continued to support my team and do rehab and keep pushing some days were worser than others. Here I am now 6 months later almost to the finish line and are able to slowly run and jump this made me realize to never take things for granted because you never know how good you have it until you lose it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have had a few obstacles/ challenges, that’s part of sports esp. in North Texas volleyball region. It so many good volleyball players in Texas. I have generally always made the top team (1’s in volleyball) but it has never been a smooth road. I dislocated my finger my 13 yrs. My older sister was helping with practice that day and we were working on blocking. I got the block but my finger. was dislocated. After the injury I worked on passing. My coach at the time had me play libero (defense/passer on the team until I was able to return. My 14 yrs. year while playing on TAV 14 Black I tore my ACL right before qualifier. I trained really hard with my private coach LJ, he is the goat. TAV is one of the top volleyball clubs in the nation and the DFW. It was hard not being able to play but I attend practices when I was not at PT 3 times a day. I am so thankful for Sandersfit rehab and Therapy in Dallas. The rehab some of the top athletes, pro and athletes my age. I have had some of the BEST PT’s there (Kyra) she has pushed me and hold’s me accountable to do the work. They have some of the best recovery equipment and even my surgeon Dr. Rhodes has pushed me those first weeks. He told me to do the work. He told me you don’t have to play but I want you to have the option. My older siblings both made Varsity when they were freshman and here, I am injured but that’s okay.
While I have been recovering from my injury, I have also become closer with my faith. I know God has a plan for me.
I come from a sports family, my father played D1 football at SMU, my old sister plays D1 volleyball at Georgia State and my brother Johnnie III is a high recruit in football player with several D1 offers and with me being the youngest I watched their journey. I know obstacles/ challenges happen, but determination is important. The day I injured myself I will never forget my God- mom Michelle Carter came to see me. She told me I would be okay, she mentioned she had surgery right before winning the Olympic gold in her sport.
During the first few months of my injury my family helped support me. I had so many visitors and gifts & my teammates at the time came to visit me at the hospital the day it happen and one of them even delivered me some cookies from Crumbl cookie.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for playing volleyball and my big personality. My IG page expresses who I am and my journey. I am high academic girly, who loves God, volleyball, orange, TikTok, hair. and clothes I hope whoever is following knows you can be all things and not just one dimensional.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I have a lot of resilience and my love to overcome challenges.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jordanwiththevolleyball
- Twitter: @jordanvball2030
- Youtube: @itzjordann-3
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jordanwiththevolleyball2030
