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Mike Miazga |
I'm sure I've said this before but it certainly bears repeating.
One of the things that I love about this sport is the vast amount of success stories that are out there beyond the obvious.
And one of the stories involves Garland, Tex. native Mary Hock.
Hock, a left-handed, 5'9" outside hitter, was named the Big South
Conference Player of the Year this past season, helping lead Winthrop
University (Rock Hill, S.C.) to a 31-win season and a third straight
appearance in the NCAA tournament. She finished with 558 kills.
What stands out even more about Hock beyond the obvious statistical
prowess, is her outlook on the game and life in general.
The awards she has won and the numbers she has racked up?
"My team set me up for success," said Hock, who was also featured in the
"Faces in the Crowd" section of
Sports Illustrated
last year. "They have helped me push forward."
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Mary Hock |
When asked if she was at a disadvantage being a left-handed outside hitter,
Hock scoffed at the notion.
"It's not as rare as you think," she said. "Lefties are usually on the
right side, but everybody has an advantage. It's all in how you play. Being
left-handed, blockers aren't able to track me as well because I take an
inside-out approach as opposed to an outside- in approach."
And being 5'9" on the front lines hasn't slowed her down one bit
either.
"I'd like to think my height doesn't matter," said Hock. "I just have to
work harder and do the best I can. Taller girls are always going to have an
advantage. It just drives me to do more and increase my vertical so I can
compete with the taller girls."
Hock's prosperity proves two things. One, there are mounds of volleyball
opportunities available at the collegiate level. And secondly, as they say,
you get out of it what you put into it.
"I would tell young kids to keep working hard and be as physical as
possible and work out and train yourself," said Hock, who is studying fitness
wellness and nutrition and would like to get into the strength and
conditioning and college volleyball coaching fields after college. "Through
all of the hard work, you are going to get to where you want to go. I was
told to be the best I can be and work as hard as I can work."
That hard work landed the suburban Dallas native a Division I
scholarship.
"One of my dreams all through high school was to play at a Division I
school," said Hock, who already has gotten her feet wet by coaching her alma
mater (Garland High School) and helping out with a local club team (Charlotte
Elite Juniors). "When I got the opportunity it was a great feeling. My
dreams came true. A lot of hard work paid off."
In a big way.
Mike Miazga
Editor in Chief
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