4/13/25
Standout athletes often combine natural gifts with dedicated training to reach new heights. For Westfield High School senior Veer Agarwal, a towering 6’7″ middle blocker with impressive versatility, that combination has opened doors to both academic and athletic opportunities at one of the nation’s premier universities.
Agarwal’s volleyball journey began in eighth grade, inspired by his older cousin who played club and high school volleyball. What started as casual interest quickly evolved into passion as Agarwal discovered his natural affinity for the sport. Now a senior at Westfield High School, he has become one of New Jersey’s most formidable players.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since 8th grade,” Agarwal shares. “I initially started playing because of my older cousin who played club and high school volleyball.”
While many athletes specialize early, Agarwal has developed remarkable versatility. Though middle blocker remains his favorite position, he has also gained experience as an outside hitter and setter, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the game that few players possess.
Agarwal’s junior year marked a dramatic breakthrough in his high school career. He posted an impressive 299 kills, 109 digs, and 24 aces, leading Westfield to a 15-11 record and an appearance in the Union County Conference tournament final. These statistics didn’t just help his team—they established Agarwal as a school record holder for kills in a single season.
His career totals are equally impressive: 410 kills, 49 blocks, 138 digs, 5 assists, and 56 aces across his time at Westfield. His dominant presence has earned him First Team All-Conference and All-County selections in both his sophomore and junior seasons, along with All-Junior and Second Team All-State honors as a junior.
Teammate Daniel Flores describes Agarwal’s impact: “Veer always has a lot of energy on the court and every time he goes up to hit the ball, you can really see how passionate he is about the game. It’s hard to find players that can receive Veer’s best hits, let alone receive them well.”
At 6’7″ with a 33-inch vertical leap, Agarwal possesses physical attributes that make him one of the players reaching the highest heights in New Jersey high school volleyball. He recognizes both the advantages this gives him now and the challenges it will present at the collegiate level.
“At the high school level, I think my height is a pretty big advantage, especially playing against teams that aren’t as tall,” Agarwal explains. “The biggest advantage I have experienced is the ability to more easily adjust to sets with a higher reach and longer wingspan.”
Looking ahead to college competition, Agarwal is realistic about the adjustments he’ll need to make. “I think I will have to adjust to playing against teams that are my height or taller in college by working on my athleticism, specifically increasing my vertical and becoming faster and more explosive on the court.”
Beyond high school competition, Agarwal has honed his skills with NYC Volleyball Academy, where coach Daniel Levent has played a crucial role in his development.
“Coach Daniel Levent from NYCVBA helped me a lot to develop as a player and to prepare me for the next step in my volleyball career,” Agarwal acknowledges.
This club experience has enhanced his technical skills while exposing him to higher levels of competition, both essential for his collegiate transition.
On February 17, 2025, Agarwal announced his commitment to New York University’s volleyball program via Instagram. His decision reflects a thoughtful approach to his future, balancing academic aspirations with athletic goals.
“My decision to attend NYU after graduation was based on my priorities in not only volleyball, but academics,” he explains. “NYU has the mix of athletics and academics that I aim to balance throughout my college career.”
NYU’s volleyball program is currently experiencing unprecedented success, finishing the regular season undefeated and ranked #1 nationally. For Agarwal, joining such a prestigious program represents both an honor and a challenge.
“It feels great to be part of such a successful program, and I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Piña and Coach Dietz for giving me this opportunity,” he says. “I’m excited to work hard, earn my spot on the team, and continue developing as a player. I’m also looking forward to watching NYU compete the rest of this season and can’t wait to join them next year.”
Before heading to NYU, Agarwal has unfinished business at Westfield. His senior campaign is off to a strong start, with the team winning their first three matches of the 2025 season. Agarwal has already contributed 12 kills, 5 digs, and 2 aces in just 6 sets played.
“For my senior year, I’d love to help the team go as far as possible in the state tournament and leave a clear mark for Westfield as one of the top teams in the state,” he says. “As a team, we’ve set goals to make a deep run in the state tournament and return to the UCC finals with hopes of winning it this time.”
Agarwal recognizes that team chemistry will be critical to achieving these goals. “I think our success will come as we develop a system with our coach where we work together, as many of us come from different club teams and coaches with different play styles.”
Behind every successful athlete stands a support system, and Agarwal’s is no exception. He credits his family with providing the foundation for his achievements.
“My mom, dad, and sister are my biggest supporters,” Agarwal shares warmly. “Whether it is driving me all the way to the upper east side of Manhattan for practice, or waking up at 6 in the morning for an AM Wave game on the other side of the country, my family is always there for me through volleyball and outside of it in every way possible.”
Agarwal’s journey illustrates how volleyball can serve as a vehicle for personal growth and educational opportunity. His commitment to both academic and athletic excellence exemplifies the student-athlete ideal that many aspire to achieve.
For younger players looking up to athletes like Agarwal, his path demonstrates the value of versatility, continuous improvement, and balancing athletic goals with academic priorities. It shows that with dedication, support, and strategic planning, volleyball can indeed open doors to prestigious educational institutions.
As Agarwal prepares to graduate from Westfield and embark on his collegiate journey at NYU, he carries with him not just impressive statistics and athletic accolades, but the experiences and relationships that have shaped him into the player, and person, he has become.
“I’m ready to work hard over the summer and during the offseason to earn some playing time,” Agarwal says, looking ahead to his first year year at NYU. With his track record of determination and achievement, there’s little doubt that Veer Agarwal will continue to rise above expectations at the next level.
