Every year, Poly Prep’s best athletes take their talents to the collegiate level, extending their athletic journeys, but what does it truly take to get there? To find out, I sat down with one of Poly’s committed athletes to hear firsthand about her experience and the steps she took to achieve her goals. Tallulah Glancy is a current senior at Poly, who will be taking the next steps in her volleyball career at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Glancy’s volleyball career didn’t begin until her freshman year at Poly when she decided to try the sport as a way to make friends and get involved at her new school. Despite her lack of experience, she quickly “found a love” for the game, playing on the Brooklyn Elite Volleyball (BEV) travel volleyball team during the offseason. While her first year of JV volleyball didn’t include much time on the court, in her sophomore year, she earned a spot on Varsity.
Glancy’s turning point came after her sophomore season in 2022. She was elevated to BEV’s highest team, where she trained rigorously, with team practices three times a week from November to July. “I grinded that summer,” she reflected.
After an offseason of hard work, Glancy’s junior year brought an increase in playing time at Poly and significant contributions to BEV’s top-level team in her age group.
Glancy’s impressive junior season attracted the attention of several schools, including Trinity. She had her first Zoom call with the Trinity coaches after her Poly season, which ended in November. That call marked the start of a connection that would lead to her commitment. While she also communicated with schools such as Pomona, Denison, Chapman, and Middlebury, Trinity always stood out to her.
“I wanted to stay closer to home, and Trinity had the academics, social life, and sports culture I was looking for,” explained Glancy.
Despite knowing she was committed in May, Glancy made her commitment public in July. When asked about her experience with the recruiting process, Glancy exclaimed how she “took it on by herself,” surprised by how much easier it was than she had initially expected. Additionally, Glancy reflected on the academic aspect of her commitment, as she struggled with maintaining grades in her freshman and sophomore years. “Volleyball was a bit of a Hail Mary for me,” she said.
Poly’s 2023 volleyball season was a standout for Glancy and her team, who won the Ivy Prep League and advanced to the semifinals of the NYSAIS tournament. Glancy credits much of her growth to the dynamic at Poly and BEV, where the coaches and players fostered what she called “one big family.”
One of her season highlights was the team’s trip to Las Vegas, where they attended the Durango Fall Classic, competing against top California programs. Glancy attributes Poly’s invite to the tournament as a result of her Poly coach (who is also actually her BEV coach) Ben, who previously coached in California.
When asked about managing the demands of year-round team practices alongside schoolwork, Glancy acknowledged: “Practices got in the way of schoolwork at first.” To combat this, she worked on her time management through the productive use of free periods at school. “No matter how hard it can get, using your free periods effectively is the best advice I could give regarding managing time at Poly,” said Glancy.
In terms of volleyball, when asked about her advice to younger players, Glancy highlighted the importance of “getting reps” and attending “as many clinics or skill sessions as possible.” On a more mental side, she emphasized the importance of staying positive on and off the court. “Volleyball is such a mental sport,” said Glancy, “you have to focus on the next point, not the mistake you just made.”
As Glancy looks ahead to life at Trinity, she’s excited to join a program with a strong record (17-9 last season) and a vibrant campus life. A visit in October, where she stayed overnight with future teammates and attended a football game, only strengthened her enthusiasm. “It felt like the perfect fit,” she said. Tallulah’s volleyball journey highlights the potential to achieve your greatest goals while also shining a light on the dedication and perseverance needed to make them a reality.
