Anaya Evans - Volleyball Academy
Anaya studied Biology and Art A-levels, Sport BTEC and was a member of the Volleyball Academy. She is the first UK beach volleyball player to get an American scholarship.
Biography
Then: Biology and Art A-levels and Sport BTEC, and Volleyball Academy (2015-2017)
Campus: North Devon
Now: First UK beach volleyball player to get an American scholarship (GCU, Arizona)
Former school: Braunton Community College
“My lecturers were very understanding once it was explained to them what my goal was. They allowed me to focus on my sport and organise myself and my studies, with their aid, so that I could succeed at both.
"My highlights at Petroc were probably my AS and my A-level result days as I was pleasantly surprised with the result! My highlights since I have college are taking 17th at under 20s Europeans (the best England has done in this age group), and being accepted to GCU as it has been a dream of mine to go to an American college and train and study full-time for my sport.
“The advice I'd give to someone trying to get into an American college with a scholarship is to contact as many colleges as you can with good footage of doing your sport and don't be afraid to keep contacting them. A lot of colleges are looking for good grades as well as the skills so try to be super organised so that you can succeed at both – be a professional in everything you do.
“The long term plan is to play in the Commonwealth Games and then the Olympics. This has been a dream of mine and going to an American college brings me one step closer.”