Redhawk volleyball player earns statewide award
On Tuesday, Mary Jane McCurdy was awarded the MaxPreps Texas Volleyball Player of the Week presented by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the week of Sept. 26 through Oct. 2. “She was injured all last year and it was really hard for us, so it’s really great to see her getting the recognition she deserves,” head volleyball coach Eighmy Dobbins said.
As Redhawk volleyball continues their undefeated district season as a team, junior Mary Jane McCurdy was recognized individually on Tuesday.
McCurdy was awarded the MaxPreps Texas Volleyball Player of the Week presented by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the week of Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.
“I was very surprised and excited to be selected for the Texas player of the week award,” McCurdy said. “I was thrilled to see that my hard work was paying off and that I was being recognized for it.”
With an injury to her ankle in August of 2021, McCurdy could not play the majority of last season, so this season meant redemption for her.
“She was injured all last year and it was really hard for us, so it’s really great to see her getting the recognition she deserves,” head volleyball coach Eighmy Dobbins said. “She does a lot of great things for our team and she deserves all the attention she gets. I am super excited for MJ.”
McCurdy’s resilience through her injury made her the player she is now.
“This is so rewarding being I was so upset about not being able to play last year because I really wanted to be an influence on the team,” McCurdy said. “It was a major setback but once I was cleared I was very motivated to get back so that I could make a positive impact on the team. I worked hard in club season so that I could be in the position I am now.”
Alongside playing for the varsity team on campus, McCurdy also plays for Madfrog 17s National Black outside of school and previously played with Frisco Flyers for six years.
“Playing club outside of school volleyball is so important to do. It is more of a time to get more technical and you play a lot more games than you do in school season,” McCurdy said. “It is also just a good way to get some different coaching and improve. In club season we also practice volleyball at school so it is a good time to perfect different skills.”
As the Redhawk volleyball team moves into the second round of district play, McCurdy believes winning this award gives her extra motivation.
“This gives me more motivation going into the second round of the district because I really want to hold the same standard for myself that I did in the first round,” McCurdy said. “This motivates me to continue to work hard because I know it will be worth it in the end.”
Haley Ward is a senior and in her third year with Wingspan. On campus, she serves as Student Council President, she is on the Varsity cheer team, and she...
