My name is Melanie Tracey, and I am a 4th-year student at Penn State University. I have been passionately playing volleyball for the past ten years. I played throughout my high school career and countless summers of competitive doubles beach volleyball. I was recruited to play on Penn State Mont Alto's women’s volleyball team in 2018. By 2019 I became their starting libero, was named team captain, and was ranked third libero in the entire USCAA. I also was awarded the John Fritz Sportsmanship award, several semesters of Academic All-Conference, earned honorable mention accolades for All American, and was nominated for the 2020-2021 All-Senior Team. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, my colligate career just like many other sports seasons was cut short and restricted and I wasn't able to achieve the final climax of my decade-long sports journey. However, I am extremely thankful for my time at Penn State Mont Alto. In the winter and spring of 2021, I began my coaching chapter by helping assist a 14-year-old girls' team for the Ballyhoo Volleyball Club in York, PA. As I continue to grow within my next athletic chapter that is coaching, my only hope is that I can share my passion for the sport with the next generation of phenomenal athletes. My goal as a coach is that all the players I interact with leave the gym with skills further than volleyball, life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and respect. I can’t wait to work with the Happy Volley Academy this upcoming club season!  

 

“What keeps me going is not winning, but the quest for reaching potential in myself as a coach and my kids as fearless athletes. It’s the pursuit of excellence.”