TicketsCINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati volleyball senior Maria Mallon has been proving all season what a star athlete she is on the court.
So far, she's earned a couple weekly honor rolls, AAC offensive and defensive player of the week honors, moved into the top-10 all-time in service aces, and most recently become just the ninth Bearcat in team history with 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
All these awards would be a career for most student-athletes, but Mallon is no ordinary student athlete.
Mallon was first team All-AAC in her freshman and sophomore seasons and, before she committed to UC, Mallon was first team all-state and Miss Volleyball runner-up in Michigan. Playing well is normal for her, but she has stepped up her game to a whole other level this season.
"Even if I am having a good game or a bad game...knowing I can still do something to benefit the team. I might not be hitting the court or scoring...but I can help the team in other ways," said Mallon.
Of the nine players in the 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs club, Mallon played with both Carly Nolan and Jordan Thompson at UC. Mallon said the experience of learning from her teammates and her coach set her up for success with the Bearcats.
"I watched her (Alvey) coach Carly and coach Jordan and how she pushed them...once she sees something in you she wants that and wants that out of you because she knows you can.".
Head coach Molly Alvey was crucial in her decision in coming to play volleyball for Cincinnati. Mallon emphasized the relationship between her coach and herself and how she has been able to improve in all areas of her life.
"She really pushed me, mentally and physically, to be the person I am today on the court and off the court," said Mallon, "She has really changed me for the better."
But, Mallon said the community she saw when visiting was unlike any other schools she had been to, saying the connections she made here will be with her for life.
"I said this when I committed here and I'll say this until I die: the athletic community that UC has is so incredible," she said. "Being a student athlete here at Cincinnati has brought so many positive relationships that I will remember for the rest of my life."
Mallon said seeing other athletes at matches is another reason why the University of Cincinnati is one of the best support systems in the nation.
"It makes you want to show up, play better, and win this game more than you wanted to so your friends can see what your team is about."
One of the most important relationships: Mallon and her three roommates, Hannah Bolinger, Armania Heckenmueller, and Shannon Williams. All four of them have been living and playing together since they came to campus as freshmen, and Mallon is forever grateful.
"You meet a group of people that you know will be your lifelong friends...Hannah, Armania, and Shannon will be my lifelong friends," said Mallon.
Mallon noted that while everyone can have a different role on the team, they can still have that impact on the court. She analyzed how the four seniors have different roles on the team, but still help win and lead by example.
"Hannah is the most positive individual, Shannon wants you to be the best person you can be, and (Armania) is a born leader," said Mallon, "and even if I am having a good game or a bad game I know I can still do something to benefit the team."
The Bearcats have been playing competitively all season, staying within distance of the top of the AAC standings.
Mallon said the spring season gave them a chance to get everything out of their system after COVID delayed their fall season and have a unique advantage going into this season.
"Having that one season, getting to know each other, the good things, the bad things, getting it all out on the court," said Mallon, "I don't think we'd be having the success we are having now if we didn't go through that."
In Mallon's final season, she is becoming a true captain. Knowing what it takes to get the best out of her teammates is a skill few student-athletes have.
"I see so much potential in everyone and what they can accomplish in the future and I want to push it out of them, but it is all about finding the correct way to push it out of them," said Mallon, "A lot of girls like positive reinforcement, I am like 'tell me straight up' so you have to find that happy medium with people."
Mallon's next step after graduation takes her into the sales world, where she will build many meaningful relationships, just like on the volleyball court.
"I am excited to get out after graduation...I love to talk, I love to build relationships. So, I am excited to start my next journey," said Mallon.
The Bearcats are back at the friendly confines of Fifth Third Arena this weekend, as they host UCF on Friday at 7 pm and USF on Sunday at 1 pm. Both matches will be streaming on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.
So far, she's earned a couple weekly honor rolls, AAC offensive and defensive player of the week honors, moved into the top-10 all-time in service aces, and most recently become just the ninth Bearcat in team history with 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
View this post on Instagram
All these awards would be a career for most student-athletes, but Mallon is no ordinary student athlete.
Mallon was first team All-AAC in her freshman and sophomore seasons and, before she committed to UC, Mallon was first team all-state and Miss Volleyball runner-up in Michigan. Playing well is normal for her, but she has stepped up her game to a whole other level this season.
"Even if I am having a good game or a bad game...knowing I can still do something to benefit the team. I might not be hitting the court or scoring...but I can help the team in other ways," said Mallon.
Of the nine players in the 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs club, Mallon played with both Carly Nolan and Jordan Thompson at UC. Mallon said the experience of learning from her teammates and her coach set her up for success with the Bearcats.
And with @mmallon5 1,000th dig, she becomes only the ninth player in UC 🏐 history to join the 1,000 kill/1,000 digs club! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/gSirS9xUeB
— Cincinnati VBall (@GoBearcatsVB) October 31, 2021
"I watched her (Alvey) coach Carly and coach Jordan and how she pushed them...once she sees something in you she wants that and wants that out of you because she knows you can.".
Head coach Molly Alvey was crucial in her decision in coming to play volleyball for Cincinnati. Mallon emphasized the relationship between her coach and herself and how she has been able to improve in all areas of her life.
"She really pushed me, mentally and physically, to be the person I am today on the court and off the court," said Mallon, "She has really changed me for the better."
But, Mallon said the community she saw when visiting was unlike any other schools she had been to, saying the connections she made here will be with her for life.
"I said this when I committed here and I'll say this until I die: the athletic community that UC has is so incredible," she said. "Being a student athlete here at Cincinnati has brought so many positive relationships that I will remember for the rest of my life."
Mallon said seeing other athletes at matches is another reason why the University of Cincinnati is one of the best support systems in the nation.
"It makes you want to show up, play better, and win this game more than you wanted to so your friends can see what your team is about."
One of the most important relationships: Mallon and her three roommates, Hannah Bolinger, Armania Heckenmueller, and Shannon Williams. All four of them have been living and playing together since they came to campus as freshmen, and Mallon is forever grateful.
"You meet a group of people that you know will be your lifelong friends...Hannah, Armania, and Shannon will be my lifelong friends," said Mallon.
Mallon noted that while everyone can have a different role on the team, they can still have that impact on the court. She analyzed how the four seniors have different roles on the team, but still help win and lead by example.
"Hannah is the most positive individual, Shannon wants you to be the best person you can be, and (Armania) is a born leader," said Mallon, "and even if I am having a good game or a bad game I know I can still do something to benefit the team."
The Bearcats have been playing competitively all season, staying within distance of the top of the AAC standings.
View this post on Instagram
Mallon said the spring season gave them a chance to get everything out of their system after COVID delayed their fall season and have a unique advantage going into this season.
"Having that one season, getting to know each other, the good things, the bad things, getting it all out on the court," said Mallon, "I don't think we'd be having the success we are having now if we didn't go through that."
In Mallon's final season, she is becoming a true captain. Knowing what it takes to get the best out of her teammates is a skill few student-athletes have.
"I see so much potential in everyone and what they can accomplish in the future and I want to push it out of them, but it is all about finding the correct way to push it out of them," said Mallon, "A lot of girls like positive reinforcement, I am like 'tell me straight up' so you have to find that happy medium with people."
Mallon's next step after graduation takes her into the sales world, where she will build many meaningful relationships, just like on the volleyball court.
"I am excited to get out after graduation...I love to talk, I love to build relationships. So, I am excited to start my next journey," said Mallon.
The Bearcats are back at the friendly confines of Fifth Third Arena this weekend, as they host UCF on Friday at 7 pm and USF on Sunday at 1 pm. Both matches will be streaming on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.