Senior Spotlight: Samiyah Panjabi

You might notice Samiyah Panjabi likes to wear white kneepads on the court. That’s because, according to Panjabi, those white kneepads are the good luck charm for the Varsity Volleyball team because they always seem to win when she wears them. However, it is Panjabi’s play that drives the Falcons to victory as the senior ranks second on the team in kills and blocks playing at the Middle Hitter position.

While Panjabi has been a mainstay at the center of the net for the Falcons Varsity Volleyball team for the past four years, Panjabi only started playing seven years ago. “I only started playing because everyone said that since I was tall, I should try volleyball. The rest is history,” Panjabi recalls. Panjabi earned her way onto the Varsity team as a freshman and only grew as a player as she became a veteran on the team. Panjabi notes that communication was the key that helped her break out of her shell and really click and bond with her team which in turn led to massive impacts on the court. “She was a leader from the first practice we had this season”, notes Head Coach James Exley, “she has the desire to make her team better every day, every play”.

Panjabi, on top of her commitments to the Palmer Trinity team, plays year-round, first with the Miami Hype during her freshman and sophomore years before moving to Miami Elite for her final two high school years. Playing all year long has helped her durability, improved her skill, and increased her visibility on the recruiting landscape. She has garnered attention from various NCAA schools, including Syracuse, Babson, Santa Clara, and SMU.

Though the effects of COVID-19 led to a shortened senior season, Panjabi says she wouldn’t trade it for the world. “It was honestly so emotional. I've been playing for so long and spent so much time with my team, I didn't want it to be over so soon. But this made me realize how important and precious every game and practice were. I cherished every moment of the season and made some great last memories”. Quarantine also proved to have a silver lining for the Panjabi family. Without the constant traveling for volleyball tournaments, Panjabi relished the opportunity to spend time at home with her brothers and just hang out as a family.

Panjabi lists sushi as her favorite food, Great Gatsby as her favorite movie, and enjoys listening to Kendrick Lamar and Daniel Caesar. When she isn’t playing volleyball, Panjabi spends a lot of her time volunteering at the Lotus House. She is proud of the impact she has had on some of the amazing kids that she has met and loves to see them.

Congratulations to Samiyah and the entire Varsity Volleyball team on a fantastic season!