Who has won all-conference, the Wildcat Award, all-tournament, and MVP? Ponca City’s very own Maci Strong. It’s apparent that throughout her sports career in Volleyball, she has learned how to be a leader and a role model to people younger than her or who just need some leadership. She has been playing volleyball since she was 11 years old. She says that to be a great athlete, it’s all about your mentality. “If you don’t have the mentality and discipline to go and get stuff done, then you won’t be great.”
Watching Texas volleyball is what got Maci interested in volleyball. Watching them win the championship two times in a row has been a big motivation for her. Maci is also involved in Student Council, and is now currently a junior. Even in her free time, she’s often out on the court playing the game that she loves. She also likes to hang out with her friends, including her best friend, Darcy. Her favorite subject is English, and her favorite teacher was Mr. Keely, because “he was such a good teacher and very good at explaining everything that we were learning.” Maci’s biggest role model is her sister. “She is the perfect example of what I need to be in the future.”
Her favorite sports moment is is when her team made it to nationals at their regional games this year. She says that “the excitement was insane,” and she is sure that everyone could feel their energy from courts away. Maci’s biggest positive impact has been Coach Hinterreiter because her coach has always been supportive and has always seen the most in Maci, even when she was having a tough game or out of touch with herself.
Her favorite part about volleyball is leading her teammates and herself to victory, pursuing every ball on the court, and getting kills. In her opinion, even when life gets tough, volleyball is a great motivator. It always keeps her in a good mindset and keeps her going.
The advice that Maci has for young women is to “never give up when someone tells you that you can’t do something. Keep going and use it for motivation.”
