Published December 11, 2024
BY NICOLE MIRSKI
Years after discovering and furthering her love for the sport, CHS senior Riley Imamura, a four-year varsity player, has committed to attend and play for Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this coming fall season.
Senior Riley Imamura has led the CHS girls’ varsity volleyball team to CCS and is planning to attend Dartmouth College and play for their DI team. (courtesy of RILEY IMAMURA)
“Growing up, I played a lot of sports, but as soon as I started playing volleyball, I loved it,” says Imamura. “I fell in love with the team aspect of the sport the most.”
Imamura’s recruitment process was challenging but exciting as she has been reaching out to schools and coaches for the past couple of years. With goals of going to a highly academic school with a competitive volleyball team, preferably on the east coast, Dartmouth was a top choice for the outside hitter.
Through hard work, dedication and support from family and coaches alike, Imamura says that her commitment to play the sport she loves at the Ivy league is the best case scenario.
Senior Riley Imamura has committed to play for Dartmouth College’s DI volleyball team. (photo by NICOLE MIRSKI)
“She is an excellent teammate,” says CHS girls’ varsity volleyball coach Andy Mandon. “She sets the tone for focus, discipline and work ethic. I hope that her coaches allow her to have a balance between a full class load, a full-time job of playing volleyball and a social life.”
After helping lead the team to being first in league with a record of 14-0 (21-5 overall), the outside hitter and rightside hitter had 261 kills.
With hopes that this impressive record both continues at CHS and carries to her next steps, Riley Imamura is hopeful and excited for the season to come, and the experiences that will follow.
“I loved playing so much and I knew that I wanted to keep that up for as long as possible,” says the senior as she reminisces on her last year competing for CHS. “Throughout the years, I have met so many amazing people, and the relationships I have built are one of the best things I have gained from playing.”
