Volleyball standout Roofe determined to maintain balance

Despite her impressive showing, national beach volleyball player Lisanne Roofe, who was starting among the seniors for her club, Venus, in last weekend's Venus Invitational Indoor Volleyball Tournament, said she is not focusing on making the national court team at the moment as school is her number one priority.

Roofe played an integral role in Venus, which primarily comprised overseas-based players, winning the female section of the tournament 3-0 (25-23, 25-16 and 25-18) over UWI Volleyball Club.

"I do play both beach and court volleyball, so it's a bit challenging to go to indoor training as well as beach training, which is very demanding because it's a national programme. It's been rough, but I'm training hard," said Roofe.

Roofe, who is a sixth-form student at St Jago High School, said it has been hard balancing her academics and sports but noted that school was her first priority.

"It is very, very, very challenging. What I try to do is manage my time because I don't only play volleyball, I play football and netball as well, so I have to manage my time wisely, take a timeout for schoolwork. If it means I can't train on Saturday or Sunday; but I have to get my schoolwork done first," said Roofe.

Roofe, who was selected to be part of Jamaica's training camp to China in the summer, said that despite being scouted by a few overseas colleges, she has not made up her mind on where she will be after her trip.

"There are a few scouts here telling me about their colleges abroad, but I'm not sure what I will be doing as yet," said Roofe, who has the University of the West Indies as her home pick in mind.

"I'm kind of iffy about leaving my homeland, but at the same time, going overseas is a better opportunity and my skills will develop more. So I have a decision to make in a few months' time."