The PrepStar featured athlete for this week is Jenna Layton. The outstanding volleyball athlete was a 2024 Sports360AZ All-Academic Girls Volleyball (4A-6A) selection as a libero and defensive specialist. On the court she brings a high level of intensity, court awareness, and leadership to the Walden Grove High School team. Recently, I caught up with the rising Senior about preparation for the coming season and some memorable moments.
Link to recruit profile: PrepStar 360 Athlete
Link to Hudl: 2024 Season Highlights
Twitter/X: @jenna_layton7
What are your goals after high school?
My goals for after high school is to play collegiate volleyball and to study sports medicine. I plan on getting my doctorate in athletic training and major in kinesiology.
Who or what inspires you to keep working hard?
What inspires me to continue to work hard is the mindset to be the best me in anything that I do, if that’s in volleyball or in my schooling or even as a person. I want to strive to continue to be better in areas that I’m already good in and to get better in the areas that I struggle.
What’s one skill you’re working on this season?
One skill I would like to work on this season is my serve receive and getting it down to a tea. I realize within myself that it’s an area of performance that I know I need to try and perfect.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment in your athletic career?
My biggest accomplishment in my athletic career would be making varsity as a sophomore or winning our preseason tournament leading into my junior high school season.
How do you handle pressure or adversity?
How I handle pressure or adversity is by trying to forget the point before. If I mess up I forget about it and not let it dwell my performance the rest of the game. I also try to make sure I’m having fun when I play to help limit the pressure I feel.
What do you want to be remembered for as an athlete?
What I would like to be remembered for as an athlete is not only my performance but how I am as a teammate and being able to run the back row when I play. I want to be known as the teammate that lifts everyone up and brings the energy to the court.
If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
If I could play any other sport it would be softball. I grew up in a softball/baseball family and I do have interest in it. I also played softball when I was younger and was pretty good.
What’s your pre-game hype song?
Honestly I don’t have a specific song. I think any song that brings up the energy and gets me into the mood. Preferably Drake, 21 Savage or Kendrick.
Who’s your favorite pro athlete and why?
My favorite pro athlete would be Lexi Rodriguez or Justine Wong Orantes. They control the court so well and play so calmly in tough situations.
Favorite game-day snack?
My favorite pre game snack would be cheddar goldfish. I always have some in my volleyball bag for before or between games.
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