Newspaper Page Text
September 7, 2022
Page 7C
iRgporter
New era for MP Volleyball
By Maxwell Nickel
s.maxwell.nickel@mcschools.org
The 2022-23 season sees
a lot of new faces for Mary
Persons volleyball, head
lined by Hannah Gross-
man as new head coach.
Grossman has 9 years
of experience coaching
numerous sports such as
basketball, tennis, and soft
ball. On Aug. 11, her MP
Varsity squad made their
debut in two non-confer
ence away matches where
they took two 0-2 losses
against the ACE Gryphons
and the Perry Panthers.
When asked about what
she plans on improving
and building upon, Coach
Grossman commented,
“This season our team
has come in with a lot of
energy and gets along well.
Our goal is to work hard
and improve on skills and
foundational elements
of volleyball every day. I
want us to improve on our
communication during
matches and work together
to win.”
Grossman feels as though
the roster is in a very
strong spot and that they
have great qualities as well
as areas to work on: “Our
team is feeling strong right
now, but we are working
towards eliminating giv
Name: Jamiya Zellner
Grade: 12th
Position: Middle hitter
Parents' names: Pakisha
Walker & Daveion Zellner
Favorite volleyball
memory: Blocking against
Tatnall
Toughest part about
practice: Running suicides
Who’s your hero? My
parents
What do you do when
you’re not playing vol
leyball? Play basketball,
watch movies, listen to music
Favorite food: Honey hot
wings
Favorite subject in
school: Math & science
What do you plan to
do after high school?
Attend college and become
a neonatal nurse
Varsity lady Dogs include (not in order) Morgan Currie, Lilly Barnes, Samiya Morris, Hannah Foies, Laney Turner, JaMiya
Zellner, Mackenzie LaVinka, Anna Murdock, Faith Jones, Kadence Brown, Clara Smith and coach Hannah Grossman.
ing up free points. Part of
that is to make sure we are
communicating well and
getting into the correct
positions for our shots
on offense and defense.
We want to make sure we
are staying ready, getting
meaningful serves in, stay
ing light on our feet, and
being proactive.”
She explained her major
goal: “My biggest goal is
to keep moving forward.
We currently have a good
amount of momentum in
our favor, and I am going
to do everything I can to
keep pushing the girls to
embrace the good and
learn from the mistakes.
We aren’t always going to
be perfect, but we can al
ways find ways to improve.
This team has a great shot
at making a run for region
and state playoffs. We are
a family, and the team
knows I will continue to
love and support them
inside and outside of vol
leyball.”
Grossman says every
player on her team is great
and brings something to
the table. Her top players
include Laney Turner, a
strong hitter and smart
player who really knows
the game and gets her team
fired up, and Mackenzie
LaVinka, the team’s setter,
a really smart player who
controls a lot of their of
fense and knows the game
really well. Anna Murdock
is a great digger with
consistent serves, and Laith
Jones and Morgan Currie
move well and are great
blockers. Lilly Barnes is not
afraid to hit the ground to
keep the ball in play.
When asked about the
best teams in the region,
Grossman commented,
“Jackson is definitely one of
the top teams in the region,
but no game is going to be
easy. We are going to have
to show up and be ready to
play our best each game.”
Last year, the team
finished third in the region
and made it to the State
playoffs. This year, Gross
man’s plans for the team
look like they’ll lead the
squad to a successful sea
son, and MP can’t wait to
see how they perform!
Mary Persons Volleyball Seniors
Name: Lilly Barnes
Grade: 1 2th
Position: Outside hitter
Parents' names: John &
Kim Barnes
Favorite volleyball
memory: When Anna
Murdock ran into the bleach
ers and had to go to the
ER because she thought she
broke her ribs.
Toughest part about
practice: Conditioning
Who’s your hero? Coach
Grossman, parents
What do you do when
you're not playing vol
leyball? Socialize, sleep
Favorite food: Hibachi
Favorite subject in
school: Gym/lunch
What do you plan to do
after high school? Attend
college and major in nursing
Name: Morgan Currie
Grade: 1 2th
Position: Middle blocker
Parents' names: Jennifer &
Mike Jorns
Favorite volleyball
memory: Getting up super
early in the morning to go
to area tournaments to play
matches all day
Toughest part about
practice: Days when you're
struggling to get through con
ditioning and pushing through
frustration
Who’s your hero? One of
my teachers, Mr. Meeks
What do you do when
you're not playing vol
leyball? Study; in season,
flag football or soccer; watch
old TV shows
Favorite food: Avocado
toast and churros
Favorite subject in
school: AP Government
What do you plan to do
after high school? Go
to a four-year college and
major in forensic science
Name: Mackenzie LaVinka
Grade: 12th
Position: Setter
Parents' names: Paul &
Stacey LaVinka
Favorite volleyball
memory: When Anna and
ran into each other to save a
ball and had to get a concus
sion check
Toughest part about
practice: Running
Who’s your hero? Coach
Grossman
What do you do when
you're not playing vol
leyball? Eat
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite subject in
school: Gym
What do you plan to do
after high school? Play
volleyball in college
Name: Anna Murdock
Grade: 1 2th
Position: Defensive special
ist
Parents' names: Kim & Jay
Murdock
Favorite volleyball
memory: Adopting our
team mascot, Waffles the dog
Toughest part about
practice: Conditioning
before practice and running
suicides
Who’s your hero? My
parents. They taught me
everything and have made
me who I am today.
What do you do when
you're not playing vol
leyball? Go thrift shopping
& hang out with friends
Favorite food: Hibachi
chicken & fried rice
Favorite subject in
school: Science
What do you plan to do
after high school? plan
to attend a 4-year college
and major in nursing.
Name: Faith Jones
Grade: 1 2th
Position: Middle blocker
Parents' names: Lori &
Ricky Jones
Favorite volleyball
memory: Every time Laney
sings a pre-game concert
Toughest part about
practice: Going straight
from the school day with no
break
Who’s your hero? My
parents who taught me to
work hard towards the things
you want
What do you do when
you're not playing vol
leyball? I hang out with
friends or spend time with my
dog.
Favorite food: Pickles
Favorite subject in
school: History
What do you plan to do
after high school? I plan
to attend a 4-year college.