Noelle Niederman jumped onto the beach volleyball scene four years ago, and now she can seriously take flight with a 31-inch vertical leap.

When the 17-year-old Mercer Island High School (MIHS) Class of 2023 graduate mixes energy, speed and agility into her beach concoction, it amounts to immense success on the sand along with placing her signature on a national letter of intent to display her skills on the Santa Clara University squad this upcoming season.

Head coach Jeff Alzina told Noelle’s dad, Chris, that NCAA Division I Santa Clara was drawn to the highly-ranked player because she shines in all three beach pairs positions of blocker/hitter, split blocker and defender.

The 5-foot-9 player, who is the first MIHS beach volleyballer to sign with a university, spoke to the Reporter over the phone during a break from her family’s drive down to the sport’s Mecca of Hermosa Beach, California, where she was set to compete for the third time in the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Junior Nationals while representing the University Place-based DaKine Volleyball Club. Also in Hermosa following the AVP event, she’ll play for DaKine in Beach Volleyball Clubs of America (BVCA) competitions.

In an excited tone, Noelle discussed two of her favorite parts of the beach volleyball sphere: “It’s been really amazing to kind of connect with anyone from around the country and world. On the court, I really enjoy that feeling of just the present moment.”

When playing doubles, she and her partner are deeply focused and unleash plentiful amounts of intensity.

“When you’re standing there eye to eye against the other team, you really need to dig deep and focus and kind of combat those maybe inner thoughts of negativity. I try and pump a positive energy and try to persevere through difficult times, either during games or other related obstacles,” said Noelle, adding that she can apply those strengths in the heat of battle to life situations.

Noelle engaged in six-players-a-side indoor volleyball contests for MIHS for two years before switching to beach pairs full time. In the college realm, each school sports five squads of doubles teams during competitions and needs to win the majority of contests to notch the overall victory.

Her parents Chris and Nicole met while playing beach volleyball at North Avenue Beach in Chicago, and Noelle hooked up with DaKine soon after a beach pick-up game during a family vacation in Hawaii. One of the players suggested that the Niedermans contact DaKine founder Chris Hannemann when they returned to Washington, and the rest is history.

Thanks to sports recruiter Wayne Holly of Beach Prospects, Noelle connected with Alzina and Santa Clara University entered the picture. As a Bronco on the court, Noelle will absorb a family atmosphere, positivity and competitive attitudes; in the classroom, she intends to zoom toward the field of aerospace engineering.

One top moment on the beach scene for Noelle — who has played in copious regional and national events — was when she and her partner battled to center court and finished in the top 10 at the AVP Junior East Coast Championships about two years ago in Clearwater, Florida.

The Reporter asked Niederman a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life:

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

I don’t particularly enjoy the (screeching) sound that the chalkboard makes. I feel that’s just annoying. Maybe when I don’t have personal space — all the little things.

What’s a binge-worthy TV series that you would recommend?

I finished “Supernatural” multiple times. My family knows that I’m huge into it. And then, of course, I’ve watched “Friends” many, many times.

What’s a special skill that you’d like to learn?

I really want to learn how to fly a plane. At one point in my life I’d like to learn how to control the things that I’m going to be working on in the future. Just to kind of be up there, it’s kind of like this out-of-body experience. Kind of out of this world.

What’s something that you’re afraid of that you’d like to conquer?

I’d say if I could conquer the fear of insects and squirrels. That’s so weird.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

I think it would be cool to sit down with one of the historical presidents. (Or legendary volleyballer) Misty May (-Treanor) would be cool, and just to sit down and talk with her. I feel like sitting down with one of the greats would be phenomenal.

What’s a song that you’d play over and over again on repeat?

Right now, it’s “Paint Me Silver” by Pond or “New Perspective” by Noah Kahan or “Everywhere, Everything” by Noah Kahan or “Live Well” by Palace. Or “Rich Girl” by Daryl Hall and John Oates. They’re all wonderful, so none of them are a wrong choice, obviously.