Hi my name is Valeria Ortiz but I usually just go by Val. I love helping out others and being a role model to future athletes as well. I take pride in being a role model because I know the affect that college athletes had on me when I was aspiring to be a college athlete. I will be majoring in biology and my goal is to become an orthopedic doctor. Throughout my volleyball career I had many set backs with injuries. If it weren’t for the doctors and physical therapists that I had I would not be where I am today. My injuries took a toll on my mental health and I almost quit volleyball for good. My doctors and parental support reminded me of why I started playing and helped me get through it. I want to be able to do that for other athletes and make their dreams come true.