TicketsOct. 11, 2010
By Shawn Sell
GoBEARCATS.com
Her coach calls her a "Godsend." She labels herself just "a competitive player." No matter what tag is placed on UC freshman Emily MacIntyre, one thing is clear; she has been a very important piece of one of the best seasons in Bearcat Volleyball history.
Coming to Cincinnati this fall from Muncie, Indiana, the youngest daughter of John and Vicki MacIntyre hoped for a chance to prove herself on the volleyball court. After receiving offers from Indiana University and the College of Charleston, MacIntyre chose Cincinnati, citing a "love for the campus and the coaches," along with knowing about the tradition of the Cincinnati program. Of course, her journey was unlike many others in her position.
"She is kind of an interesting story because she is a walk-on," UC head coach Reed Sunahara says. "We wanted her but we just didn't have the money for her because we had made our offers and everything (in recruiting) is so accelerated. We didn't think we could get her. She has been a Godsend for us with Julie being hurt."
Julie is senior defensive specialist Julie Guenther, a three-year contributor who seemed to have the inside track at the starting libero job this year before an injury during the preseason ended her career. With the slot open, MacIntyre seized the opportunity.
"I wanted to be the starting libero (coming in), but I wasn't sure I was going to be," she says. "I knew I was going to have to work really hard and prove myself to the team and the coaches. I didn't come in expecting to be the libero, but I knew I wanted to be."
With her place in the starting lineup secured, MacIntyre has flourished in her first year in the college game. Entering this week, she ranks among the top-10 in the BIG EAST in digs per set, providing a steady presence on defense for the Bearcats. While MacIntyre feels her play thus far has been "pretty good," her head coach has been a big fan of what he has seen from his freshman thus far.
"No question (she has past his expectations)," Sunahara says. "I felt like she was going to be good, but I think she has grown so quick. It was a toss-up early, but when I got back from my trip with the US National Team, I was just super impressed."
In the sport of volleyball, the name of the game for the libero is to play outstanding defense and help their team transition to offense with steady passing. Playing with a high-level of energy doesn't hurt either and that is one of MacIntyre's strongest attributes.
"She brings a lot of energy and plays with a lot of fire and that is good for our team," Sunahara says. "I told her from the start, `I don't care if you are a freshman; you have to play like you know how to play.' She plays with a lot of passion and I think that adds a lot to what we have."
Taking one look at MacIntyre's family makes it easy to see where she gained the passion and competitiveness that she brings to the court for UC. MacIntyre is the youngest of five siblings and is the fifth to play collegiate athletics. Her oldest sister Jessi played at Clearwater Community College, while next in line Krissi was an all-region performer at Division II power University of Tampa. Not to be outdone, brother Ryan played soccer at Danville Community College and another sister, Alicia, wrapped up her college career at Lincoln Memorial University just last season. Emily, who says she has played libero since the age of 12 had plenty of chances to learn the position and the game from all three sisters who played libero in college and from a mother who coached volleyball.
"I think it really helped me (growing up in an athletic family)," the youngest MacIntyre says. "My family is really close knit and the competitiveness we had really helps me be more competitive on the court. I think a lot of my skill comes from how competitive I am. It's not about how good I am at volleyball; it's how competitive I am that got me into Division I athletics."
With the support of a highly-competitive and athletic family behind her, Emily MacIntyre has been an integral part of the nationally-ranked Bearcats and it really doesn't matter how you describe her.