Growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts meant that Jalen Penrose had his sights on one sport as a kid: basketball. Penrose played basketball throughout his childhood, until realizing—his sophomore year of high school—he had more opportunities to play volleyball at the next level.

After leading Cambridge to a State Championship in 2012, Penrose later committed to Penn State for volleyball, one of the best Division I programs in the country. Five years later, he graduated with two degrees and now plays professionally in Germany.

Learn more about Jalen’s journey, his perspective on the importance of family, diversity, and education in Sideline Stories Ep. 2: Ace Outta Cambridge: