Competing for the United States U19 national volleyball team earlier this year was an overwhelming, exasperating feeling for Jaela Auguste.
“It was very humbling,” the Grand Oaks senior middle blocker said. “Not only did I have to prove myself to other people, but also to myself in that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. Going into U19 was really scary and I wasn’t that confident. But I got there, I did what I needed to do and I made it happen.”
Auguste helped the U.S. to the Pan American Cup win in Puerto Rico back in May. The U.S. went 5-0 in the tournament and did not lose a set.
Auguste’s play apparently impressed. The 16-year-old was one of 19 girls selected by the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program for the U.S. U19 World Championship roster. Twelve will be chosen to compete at the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championship on August 1-11 in Croatia and Hungary.
Auguste is one of seven returners selected from the U19 team that won the Pan American Cup.
“This time, I feel like I know what to expect,” Auguste said. “The competition level is really, really good. Going to Croatia will teach me some new things and I’m excited for it. The skills and tips I learned in Puerto Rico, and all the stuff they gave me to work on, I’m definitely going to implement this time around.”
Auguste is a tantalizing prospect. She stands 6-foot-2 and has elite athleticism. She is demonstrative on the court, indicative of the passion she plays with, and has a tenacious competitiveness.
Auguste has terrific bloodlines. Her father, Wilder, was a Harlem Globetrotter and played professional basketball overseas. Her mother, Alisha Fowler, played volleyball at Sam Houston State.
Auguste only started playing volleyball three years ago. She took up the sport because she got bored competing in track.
She played competitive volleyball for the first time in the seventh grade at Spring Woods Middle School but did not take it seriously until the eighth grade. That’s when she also started playing club volleyball.
“Why not try it out and see where it goes?” Auguste said. “I did and ended up falling in love with it. When I first hit a ball, I was like, ‘This is fun.’ Then I would block, and it just got me fired up.”
Auguste still competes in the high jump for the Grizzlies’ track and field program. Her personal record is 5-feet, 10-inches and she is a two-time state qualifier. She won silver in Class 6A as a sophomore.
But volleyball is where she’s made her impact.
The University of Florida verbal commit was The Courier’s All-County Defensive MVP last year, helping lead Grand Oaks to a share of the District 13-6A championship and the area playoffs. She compiled 336 kills and 154 blocks with a .514 hitting percentage.
“I’m just thankful for all the support,” Auguste said. “My mom, my coaches. They’re the ones who have helped me and pushed me. There were times I did not want to do anything, and they kept me going.”
When Auguste eventually returns to the Grizzlies for her senior season later this summer, she expects to be a different player.
First, in maturity and mindset after Puerto Rico, when she was alone without Alicia for the first time and ate rice and beans every day.
“Not only did I learn to be able to play with people I’ve never met and the skill level was really high, I learned a lot of new things about volleyball and also learned to be able to play and do my best in an uncomfortable situation and give it my all,” Auguste said.
Second, as a player and talent. Competing against faster, more athletic players has changed Auguste’s approach.
She has constantly been in the gym this summer, working on slides, blocking footwork, transitioning faster and just being quicker overall on her feet.
“Training, training, training,” Auguste said.
She’s excited to be more of a leader this year for Grand Oaks. As a senior, Auguste knows she needs to use her voice more.
Her confidence has never been higher. The U19 experiences this year have been an enlightenment.
“One thing that I’ve learned is that the further I go and the more I keep training, this is not over,” Auguste said. “It’s not going to be over for a while. When I first committed (to Florida), I thought that was it. That was the top. But I just need to keep working. I know where I want to go, and I know my potential.”
