When passion meets purpose, greatness follows. For Ryan Jomo, a standout libero from Lake Brantley High School and East Tennessee State University commit, volleyball has become more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong journey of growth, grit, and relentless determination. From humble beginnings on a club team that never reached the gold bracket, to becoming one of the fiercest defensive forces on the court, Ryan’s story is a testament to what can happen when you chase your dreams with everything you’ve got.

How did you get started playing volleyball, and what made you fall in love with the sport?
I started playing volleyball at 13 years old. I made my first club joining halfway into my 13s season. I played on a number 7s team for my age group. (Really really bad, we didn’t qualify for a gold bracket in any tournament all year.) One day I saw our 1s team practicing and I saw how good those girls were and from that point on I was determined to make a team like that. So from that day on I worked hard on getting better and I absolutely fell in love with the sport.

Who has been the most influential person in your volleyball journey so far?
The most influential person is 100% my dad. Even when I told him I had such big goals he always supported me. Not only that, he also took the time to work with me and help me learn the game of volleyball.

What position do you play, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I enjoy playing libero the most. Libero is a defensive position and while others might think it’s boring not being able to score points, nothing beats getting the perfect dig off a hard attack and setting my team up for success.

What’s your favorite memory from your volleyball experience?
My favorite memory is when I was 14 we won the Big South Qualifier in Atlanta out of 92 teams. It was so so much fun and a memory I will NEVER forget.

What’s a typical training day like for you during the season?
A typical day of training is very very busy. I do virtual school and doing so allows me to finish my studies on my own time and leave a lot of time for volleyball. In the morning I go to a sand court and work on my serve receive. Then after I work on my schoolwork until I have to go to a workout around 4:30. I then have club practice and team workouts from 7–9:30. Then to finish off my night going to an adult open gym that starts at 10pm and typically doesn’t finish until after midnight. I play in these co-ed adult open gyms 3-5x per week.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for a game or big tournament?
I prepare for big games/tournaments everyday. With every time I step on the court whether it’s private training or at practice I am always preparing my skills to play in the next big match. I like to think preparation happens everyday prior to gameday. However on game day I prepare very loosely. I put on my favorite playlist, hang out with my teammates, and focus on purely competing with the other team across the net.

Favorite volleyball player or team you look up to?
My favorite volleyball player I look up to is Erik Shoji. Not only is he a great libero, but he’s someone whose passion for the game shows with everything he does. He’s always having fun and it reminds me that’s what the sport of volleyball is all about.

What’s your go-to post-tournament meal or snack?
Nerd Clusters

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