ATLANTA- In the upcoming weeks we will be honoring the volleyball team's senior class. This week's spotlight is on Jordan Shoemaker.
A native of Ocala, Fla., Shoemaker began playing volleyball in the 5th grade and started competing at the club level as an 11 year old. Shoemaker, who as a setter confidently leads the team's offense, was not always so sure of her volleyball capabilities. She was so nervous for her first club tryout that she hid in her closet crying.
In high school Shoemaker hit her stride on the court. She accumulated 1,234 career assists at Trinity Catholic High School. Her standout performances earned her FCSAA Player of the Week, First-Team All-County, and First Team All-Panhandle Conference honors, among many additional accolades.
Shoemaker began her collegiate volleyball journey at Indian River State College, accumulating 751 assists in 2017. The following year she played at Santa Fe College, where she recorded 637 assists. Prior to her junior year, Shoemaker and fellow Santa Fe College teammate, Leah Wilcox, transferred to Georgia State.
"It has always been a dream of mine to be a Division I volleyball player," said Shoemaker. "After visiting Georgia State and meeting the team it really sealed the deal for me."
Shoemaker enters her senior season off a strong junior campaign. Last year Shoemaker dished out 415 assists in 87 sets of action for the Panthers. During the match against Presbyterian, she registered a career high 33 assists in a single match. Her favorite memory from the 2019 season came in the 3-0 victory over conference foe ULM, which marked the team's first sweep of the season.
As the one returning setter, this season Shoemaker will lead the team's offensive charge. In addition she will help guide the younger setters on the team.
"Jordan has an incredible work ethic and leads by example," said head coach Sally Polhamus.
Shoemaker's success does not stop on the court. In the classroom Shoemaker has excelled as a student. She was named to the Dean's List in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Upon graduation she plans to go to graduate school for either physical therapy or rehabilitation science.
"Enjoy every minute of it and do not spend too much time worrying, it is not worth it," says Shoemaker when asked what she would tell incoming student-athletes. "It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman panicking about preseason and missing home. Now I am a senior excited for the year ahead!"
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