TicketsSept. 19, 2005
by Becky Hart, Sports Communications Student Assistant
Maria Pongonis has many talents. The Cincinnati native is the captain and lone senior of the volleyball team, a skilled musician, a volunteer in the community, and a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Cincinnati.
Pongonis, a McNicholas High School alumna, began her collegiate career at Ohio State. After a frustrating injury-filled season, she came to UC as a sophomore to be closer to home and to play for head coach Reed Sunahara. She has finished second on the team in kills each of the past two seasons.
In just two seasons at Cincinnati, Maria has already put her name among some of the University's volleyball best. With 752 kills in her time as a Bearcat, she is well on her way to meeting her goal of 1,000 kills for her career. She is currently tied for seventh in school history in career kills average with 3.26 per game, an achievement that she was unaware of. Pongonis says making her mark in the record books was never really a goal. "I wasn't looking at the numbers," she said. "I was just trying to get better."
Pongonis is also trying to help her team get better by leading the young squad through its first season in the BIG EAST Conference. She realizes the additional duties that come with being the only senior on a team with eight players with less than two years of collegiate experience. However, Maria is more than willing to take on the extra responsibility that comes with the title of team captain. "I have to be a big leader this year," she said, but "I like the pressure."
Pongonis is likely to find herself in many pressure-filled situations this season. Her team has set some hefty goals, including recording an undefeated home schedule and winning the BIG EAST Tournament. A conference tournament title would earn the squad an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
While trying to guide the Bearcats to a BIG EAST championship this season, Pongonis is also finishing her degree in health sciences. Maria didn't always see herself in the health profession, however. When she began classes at Cincinnati, Pongonis considered attending the nationally-ranked College Conservatory of Music as a cellist. The rigors of being an athlete in a major college program and studying in such a demanding school would have been extremely difficult. The outside hitter has been playing cello since age three, but chose volleyball over a musical career.
The volleyball standout does not regret her decision to continue with athletics. She enjoys health sciences and is planning on studying in the UC Physical Therapy program next fall after graduation. Pongonis has already met some of her major academic goals, including being inducted into the Legion of Excellence, an award given by the university for exceptional achievement in the classroom. She was also one of 11 volleyball players to be named to the 2004 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Pongonis has little free time between being in the classroom and on the court. However, she does find time to be involved with CPAWS, Committee to Promote Athlete Welfare and Success. With the help of Pongonis and other student-athletes, the organization was recognized nationally last spring for its service project done in honor of the late volleyball player and assistant coach, Stephanie Rosfeld.
When she leaves UC, Maria is sure that she will be well prepared for the working world, and she credits her teammates and coaches for much of the success she has experienced as a Bearcat. "Our team has a good perspective on balancing academics and athletics."
Being a student-athlete has also allowed Pongonis to meet a wide variety of people and have the kinds of experiences necessary to excel in the future. "I appreciate the opportunities Reed and the other coaches have given me." With the conclusion of her collegiate career, Pongonis will be able to reflect proudly on her three years at Cincinnati. "I've enjoyed everything."