Kristen Macy expected to fill an important role this year.
The university’s volleyball team needed a good outside hitter, she said, and Macy’s coach recruited her for the position.
“When I came in, I knew that I was going to have to step up my game,” Macy said. “It’s weird because I’m a freshman.”
Macy started the season netting more points than any other team member.
Her lead continued through the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics Championship, where the team lost in the second round.
A team that had not lost a conference match in two years beat the Stars.
Freshman Outside Hitter Kristen Macy poses Dec. 3 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Sooner Athletic Conference named Macy its Freshman Volleyball Player of the Year in November.
“You can’t make mistakes against a good team or else they’ll take advantage of it, and we made too many,” Macy said. “But we played probably one of the best matches of the season.”
Despite the loss, Macy finished the season with accolades and 348 kills, the most of any Stars volleyball player. The Sooner Athletic Conference also named Macy its Freshman Volleyball Player of the Year in November.
“It’s humbling,” she said. “I didn’t’ expect it.
“Honestly, I had no idea, so it’s very exciting because I don’t get awards.”
‘Blessed’ with talent
Macy’s passion for volleyball stems from her Dad, who played for 25 years.
“He was my first coach back in fourth grade,” she said. “He got me going, and he’s been a good supporter ever since.”
Macy attributes her success to good coaching, talent and training.
“I was blessed with the ability to play volleyball,” Macy said. “But you have to be willing to put in the work day in and day out.
“You can’t come in slacking off one day and expect to play well the next day.”
Macy said she knew a volleyball scholarship could pay for her college expenses, so she devoted high school to refining her skills.
“I’ve known that if I really wanted to do something good with my life, I would have to work hard,” she said.
Studying to teach
Macy does not aspire to play professionally. Instead she would like to coach and teach children, so Macy’s studying elementary education.
“I love kids so much,” she said. “Kindergarten is where I want to be.
“I just want to be able to influence people in a positive way.”
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