Student Athlete of the Week: Jiselle Sales

After moving from Texas to Colorado last year, then-junior Jiselle Sales was tasked with proving herself when she joined the Niwot High School varsity girls volleyball team.

The Cougars already boasted a veteran top group and ample opportunities weren't guaranteed, leaving Sales without much playing time. Concurrently, she was faced with learning a new school and new people.

"I was going to a whole new environment, and I had no idea who anyone was," Sales said. "I didn't know how to get around anywhere, and I didn't know anybody, so it was really hard at first."

Rather than shy away from the challenge, she continued to improve on the court while adjusting to her new surroundings. Sales' perseverance paid off this fall as the senior became a key varsity contributor, finishing her senior season with a team-best 46 total blocks.

"Last year, I had to prove myself a lot, and then this year people looked up to me to do my job," Sales said. "We had such a young team and a lot of the younger girls looked up to me, so I had to be the role model for them. My success came from the confidence they gave me."

Even more, Sales led the Cougars with a kill percentage of 40.9%.

"I've gotten a lot better at transitioning to be faster and being a lot smarter with where I place the ball," Sales said. "My volleyball IQ has grown a lot over the past year."

On Nov. 10, Niwot fell to Pueblo West High School in the Class 5A Region 5 tournament, closing the books on her senior campaign. Sales may have only been a Cougar for two seasons, but her Niwot volleyball career closing yielded plenty of emotions.

"I started crying after the last point was over because I realized I wouldn't be playing with these people anymore," Sales said. "I was really sad because I've grown with these people over the past few years. I've loved playing with them and watching us grow as people."

Sales' tears were soon replaced with smiles, however. Earlier this month, she was named an All-Granite Peaks League honorable mention player.

"I couldn't stop smiling because I was really shocked," Sales said of her award. "I didn't think that was something I would be getting, or (that) I'd be noticed in our league. I was really happy and excited. It's a really cool thing to get because I've never gotten anything like that before."

With her high school volleyball career complete, Sales is now preparing for her senior basketball season, which kicks off at Northglenn High School on Dec. 3. The versatile forward believes Niwot is coming together nicely during preseason practices.

"I think we're doing really well and adjusting to each other because we do have a lot of new people this year," Sales said. "Everyone's doing a really good job at adjusting and listening."

Sales aims to continue playing volleyball in college while studying biology. She's currently speaking with multiple NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic) programs and hopes to commit somewhere early next year.

"Being a part of a team is something really special," Sales said. "The bonds you get from it and all the memories are worth it, even if you don't play. That's something I want to do for as long as I can."