Mackenzie Roddy (19) goes up for a kill. (Courtesy photo)
Mackenzie Roddy has almost played as many volleyball positions as years she’s been in the sport.
From middle to right side to outside, from high school to club, CIF to JO’s, the Northern Illinois-bound senior who plays high school for Cajon and club for Rancho Valley Premier has experienced lots in a short span, including being her high school valedictorian.
Rancho Valley is coming off its third SCVA mandatory victory of the season as it prepares for Regionals in a few weeks, and Roddy, who started volleyball as a freshman, shares her thoughts on the club season so far and more in a recent conversation with the TheBackSet.com.
How nice was it to win Sunday’s final mandatory after winning the first two?
Roddy: It was good. When we took third, we hit a little rough patch. Third is still good, but then we didn’t qualify at the So Cal qualifier. Winning (Sunday) gave us our mojo back. It was exciting. It should gives us more momentum.
What was the start of the year like, with the run the team was on?
Roddy: It was exciting coming off of last year because we took second at JO’s. We have five players coming back from last year. This year we started off on top. Last year we had to work our way up. I’m excited to see how we finish the season. We have a lot of confidence in what we do. We never doubt when we are playing, even when we are behind we have the confidence to come back. We have the same mental mind set of putting in the same amount of work. We have a really cool thing going.
As you mentioned, to not qualify at So Cal, what was the team’s feelings there?
Roddy: We were definitely disappointed. We knew we were going to be the No. 1 seed in that tournament. We lost a really tough match to Sunshine (on Saturday). That put us in tough pool the last day. No one doubted we could win that pool, but we lost to Vision in the first match and that knocked us out of finishing top 4. We were disheartened as a team. We wanted to qualify in So Cal. We had been doing so well. Maybe we thought it was going to be easy. Maybe we gave teams more motivation to come after us.
You did earn the bid in Reno, where you finished third. Your thoughts on that?
Roddy: We knew a large number of teams, l think 4 teams, had bids. We knew it would be a lot of the teams we faced in So Cal. Everyone was really determined. There was no way we weren’t coming home with a bid. We played with a lot of energy.
It’s common to see girls in CIF-SS Divisions 1-2 playing at a high level in club. Your high school team is in a lower Division, and you don’t see too many girls like yourself doing what you are doing switching between the level of high school and level of club you play at. Can you explain more.
Roddy: In my high school league (San Andreas) I’m the only one who plays club at a competitive level. It’s a big jump going back. High school is a slower pace. In my league it’s basic volleyball. I have to work out during the high school season on my own to keep in shape for club when I return.
The transition back and forth seems challenging?
Roddy: Mentally I have to keep myself motivated. In high school, I’m the leader of the team, I finish with the most kills. In club, that’s not my role. I’m not going to lead the team in kills or digs. The important part with club is to do my part for us to be successful.
Does being the leader in high school help in some ways for club?
Roddy: It gave me more confidence to have to take that leadership role. Even though in club I’m not in that role, I put pressure on myself to be the best I can be. I think a big part of that is in high school I have to carry that responsibility.
You shared an interesting path to this point. What’s it been like?
Roddy: This is only my fourth year playing volleyball. I haven’t been playing very long. I’ve been lucky to be on (Rancho Valley Coach 18’s coach) Danny’s (Scott) team. For me, there was only room to grow. I started as middle on the 15’s team. On the 16’s team, Danny switched me to opposite and we took second at JO’s. This year, I’ve switched to outside hitter. Last weekend, I played my own back row for the first time. I’ve become more diverse as a player. Two years ago I didn’t play my own back row. It shows I’m growing as a player.
Seems like a lot to take in so quickly. How did you do it?
Roddy: I’m a quick learner. I have a lot of drive. As a middle blocker, I wanted to get better. When I switched to right side, there was so much more to learn. I made the most of practice times. When Danny wanted to see me play on the left, I was open to that. I’m going to work has hard as I can.
I have so much more to learn, I find myself getting frustrated even if I haven’t had as much experience as someone like Krista (Vansant), are other outside. She’s been playing since she was 8. It can be overwhelming at times, but I absorb all that I can pretty quick.
How does Krista help you out?
Roddy: She plays a big part. I look up to her, seeing all the great shots she makes and thinking how I might be able to make it with what shots I have available and how many blockers I have. She’s definitely reassuring when I’m doubting myself. Her and I are close off the court. She’s always supporting me. We talk about what’s bother us and we help each other grow.
And lastly, what’s your feelings about Northern Illinois?
Roddy: I’m definitely excited and a little nervous about going. It’s pretty far. I’m excited about experiencing new things and excited to play with new people. I’m leaving in two months. I’m taking off a few days after JO’s. It’s coming a little quicker than I thought.
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