Piedmont’s Mackenzie “Mac” Manning

Piedmont High School senior Mackenzie “Mac” Manning understands that a setter’s job requires more than delivering the ball to hitters. It demands steady leadership, consistency and attention on every point.

“I am a setter and I think the hardest part about being a setter is being able to stay steady throughout the entire match. Because as a setter, you aren’t really allowed to have off games. And if I were to play bad the chance of my team winning goes down immensely. Most plays I touch the ball at least once so if every second ball has to pass through me for a hitter can attack and I am not setting well then, our team starts to play messy and unorganized,” Manning said.

For Manning, the Lady Wildcats’ close connection gives each match extra meaning. Her teammates are more than volleyball players sharing a court; they are among her closest friends.

“Something I love most about Piedmont is how close our team is. I truly think of those girls as my best friends and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone,” Manning said.

That sense of purpose has grown during Manning’s final high school season.

“I’ve learned to never take anything for granted last year when Piedmont season came to a close early in the state tournament vs Broken Arrow. I think this has helped me go into every practice intentional because when this season comes to an end and my career at Piedmont is over I want to know that there isn’t anything more I could have done to help this team succeed,” Manning said.

Manning plans to continue both her athletic and academic journeys at Southern Nazarene University, where she is committed to play volleyball. After graduating from CV Tech with an esthetician license last year, she hopes to eventually open her own esthetics salon.