At just 16 years old, Joy Cortez is already making her mark both in the classroom and on the court. A Junior at Grand Terrace High School, Joy maintains an impressive 3.8 GPA while balancing a busy schedule filled with academics, athletics, practices, games, tournaments, and training. Joy is also an Honor Roll student, taking her academics seriously while working hard to balance school with her commitment to volleyball.
Joy’s athletic journey began at just 8 years old when she started playing volleyball with Rancho Valley Volleyball Club, where she has continued playing throughout the years. For the past two years, Joy has played on Rancho Valley’s Select teams, first competing on the 15 Select team and then the 16 Select team. She has also been a Varsity volleyball player at Grand Terrace High School since her Freshman year.
Before high school, Joy played basketball and was also involved in cheerleading during middle school. She enjoyed being part of different sports and activities, but volleyball has always been the sport she is most passionate about. Playing volleyball for so many years has taught Joy valuable lessons about teamwork, discipline, confidence, perseverance, and working hard toward her goals.
Joy currently plays Varsity volleyball for Grand Terrace High School and club volleyball with the 18s Wild Pepper team at Inland Valley Force Volleyball Club. Her main position is Middle Blocker, but Joy continues working on different parts of her game so she can become a more complete and versatile player.
When asked what sports and academic accomplishments she is most proud of, Joy shared, “I am really proud of being selected as Athlete of the Week. I am also proud that I have been on varsity since my freshman year and that I earned the opportunity to play Nationals on Rancho’s Select teams for the past two years. I have been playing volleyball since I was 8 years old, so it means a lot to see all of those years of hard work paying off.”
Academically, Joy is equally proud of her accomplishments. “I am proud of being an Honor Roll student and maintaining a 3.8 Grade Point Average while playing both high school and club volleyball. Balancing everything can be challenging, but doing well in school is just as important to me as doing well on the court.”
Joy’s hard work and preparation have also translated into strong performances on the court. In a recent game against Moreno Valley High School, Joy recorded 6 kills, 3 blocks, and 3 aces. Throughout the game, Joy stayed positive and trusted the preparation she had put in during practice with Coach Hernandez. Her ability to stay focused, positive, and confident is another example of the mindset she brings to the game.
Outside of volleyball, Joy enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Volleyball keeps her schedule pretty busy, so when she has free time, Joy enjoys being able to relax, have fun, and spend time with the people who mean the most to her.
When asked who inspires her the most, Joy didn’t hesitate to recognize her family. “My family has been the biggest influence in my life. They have supported me since I first started playing. They have been there for practices, tournaments, games, wins, losses, and all the ups and downs that come with playing a competitive sport. They always encourage me to work hard, stay positive, and keep going after my goals. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
Looking ahead, one of Joy’s goals is to attend college where she hopes to continue playing volleyball at the collegiate level. She wants to continue improving throughout high school and challenge herself to play at the highest level she can. Joy also wants to attend a college where she can receive a great education while continuing to play the sport she loves. She is still exploring what she wants to study and what career she would like to pursue, but Joy knows she wants to work hard both academically and athletically to give herself as many opportunities as possible.
Joy also shared one of her favorite quotes by Tim Notke, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Grateful for the recognition, Joy added, “I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout the years. I especially want to thank all of my coaches who have helped me grow as a player and my teammates for always pushing me and making volleyball fun. I’m really thankful to be selected as Athlete of the Week, and I’m excited to keep working hard and see what the rest of the season brings.”
We’ve watched Joy’s growth throughout the years, and it has been nothing short of inspiring. With her talent, positive attitude, commitment to academics, and strong support system behind her, Joy is sure to continue making her mark both on and off the court. The future looks incredibly bright for this Lady Titan! To celebrate Joy’s hard work, dedication, and achievement, she will receive an Athlete of the Week patch to proudly add to her letterman’s jacket. This special recognition is sponsored by TME Photography and Harley’s, giving Joy a lasting reminder of this accomplishment and the hard work that earned her this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Joy!