Published October 1, 2025
BY TULLAH McCOLL
After being selected First Team All-County player and her team winning the 2024 Gabilan Division for the first time in 10 years, senior outside hitter Lizzie Descalzi made her verbal commitment in July to play NCAA Division III volleyball at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
“I see a lot of potential in the younger players this year and like how they are meshing with the returnees,” explains the four-year varsity player, who hopes to lead her team to another Gabilan Division win in her final season.
Senior Lizzie Descalzi looks forward to being a part of the Johns Hopkins volleyball team and majoring in International Studies next fall. Courtesy of LIZZIE DESCALZI
Since beginning her volleyball career in sixth grade, Descalzi has found a community on the court and through her time and dedication, learned the importance of trust and communication in the game.
“I try to not let pressure and emotions affect me at all during games, “ explains Descalzi, whose teammates have referred to as “Grizzie” since her freshman year when the seniors decided her spirit animal was a grizzly bear. “I might not be the loudest and most cheerful player, but I am consistent and stable.”
Yet consistency is not only something the JHU commit prioritizes in her athletics, but also in her academics.
“Johns Hopkins has a well-known history of success on and off the court, and she will adhere to those standards seamlessly,” says coach Cody Jankowski, a former club coach of Descalzi’s and current CHS head coach. “Lizzie keeps it simple and is all about her business and ensuring what needs to get done is done.”
With a 4.75 grade point average and a 1560 SAT score, the dedicated athlete shares that she has always refrained from taking short cuts in sports and school, knowing it will never pay off in the long run.
And while balancing school with a demanding volleyball schedule can be challenging, Descalzi has learned to deal with it since starting club volleyball in eighth grade.
“I knew I wanted to play in college, and I knew it would be hard to do that if I didn’t switch to a larger, more competitive club,” explains the senior who has taken 13 AP courses.
On the court, Lizzie Descalzi has developed close friendships with her teammates and enjoyed traveling for tournaments with them. Courtesy of LIZZIE DESCALZI
She met close friends and teammates, locally, through Sand City Volleyball Club, but driven for more, Descalzi switched to Vision Volleyball Club in San Jose during her sophomore year.
Around that same time, the goal-oriented player began looking into colleges with Division III programs, where she could do what she loves and be at a school known for their academic excellence.
“I definitely have grown, throughout the recruitment process, to have more self-confidence and advocate for myself,” says Descalzi.
Knowing that seeing the schools in person would be a deciding factor, the East Coast-bound student visited 10 schools, ultimately touring Johns Hopkins University four times before making her commitment.
“I could really see myself being on the team and relating to the girls there,” explains Descalzi. “I look forward to having a built-in community when I start college.”
The future international studies major looks forward to JHU’s beautiful campus and proximity to Washington D.C. And while excited about the next step in her academic and athletic journey, Lizzie Descalzi says she will miss playing in front of students and teachers she gets to see around campus and the close-knit CHS community.
