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Mia McGrath has been part of the sports world since she was a child. Besides volleyball, she has tried soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, swimming and diving, but her passion for volleyball runs much deeper. Growing up with her mother and her father, who played Division 1 volleyball and football for Kentucky, West Sports was a big part of her identity. College track and field has always been her McGrath goal. Her affinity for volleyball started at a very young age. “When I was little, her mother made her mark on volleyball, and I was born into it,” she said.
Her mother was her biggest role model through it all.McGrath has said that her mother always pushed her to be the best version of herself. After practices and games, her mother was always there to support her and help her get recruited into the college volleyball program. Coming home late to find McGrath slamming a volleyball into the garage door in the dark. “It was good for me to have a little volley mom,” she said.
In fourth grade, McGrath’s elementary school unfortunately didn’t have a volleyball team, but this didn’t stop her from pursuing her passion. McGrath asked the elementary school’s athletic director to create a fourth-grade girls’ volleyball team. Ultimately, they gave in to her demands. McGrath has been obsessed with volleyball since she made her senior year team.
Growing up surrounded by sports not only paid dividends on athleticism, but it also had a huge impact on McGrath. “Growing up as a very athletic kid and working hard every day made me a more confident person. Sports in general made me a better person.”
McGrath is pleased that more female athletes are recognized today. She says that women’s sports have become significantly more competitive since her mother played volleyball at Western University of Kentucky. While McGrath still finds men’s sports have a large fan base, she said the culture surrounding women’s sports is changing for the better.
Outside of his mother, McGrath has always looked up to Kelly Walsh Jennings. Jennings is the American professional beach volleyball player with the most career wins as of 2016, winning three Olympic gold medals and his one-time Olympic bronze medal, and has won 100 in beach volleyball in his career. He has won 135 international and national tournaments. McGrath played beach volleyball during his pre-college summers. He always looked up to Jennings because of his great success. “I wanted to be her (Jennings) one day.”
Since completing a stellar freshman campaign with the Tigers and earning a spot on the All-ACC freshman team, McGrath has received an inspirational message for her younger self to know. “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do what you’re passionate about. Be true to yourself. You can do anything if you try.” I hope to become
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