SMCC Women's Volleyball/Beach Volleyball Announce 2021 Transfers and Graduates
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College women's volleyball and beach volleyball programs have a host of four-year transfers and graduates ready to take on a new stage in their life. Head coach Melissa Hess and the Cougars have six 2021 graduates (Quinci Dalley, Alyssa McDowell, Marlayna Stapleton, Mikaila Williams, Mackenzie Cumbie, Madison Wampler), and three student-athletes will be continuing their volleyball career at four-year institutions: Stapleton, Cumbie and Wampler.
Stapleton, a 5-5 libero from Tempe, is headed to NCAA Division I Houston Baptist University, where the Huskies compete in the Southland Conference. In 2019, Stapleton appeared in 29 matches and 87 sets, and she finished second on the team with 274 digs, and her 3.15 digs per set led the squad. Stapleton also finished third on the team with 25 service aces and dished out 37 assists on the year. In addition, she recorded a season-high 29 digs in a five-set victory over Pima CC, had a season-high four service aces in a four-set win over College of Southern Nevada and earned First Team NJCAA All-Academic Student-Athlete honors.
In the 2021 beach volleyball season, Stapleton and teammate Mckenna Androsky finished 4-1 overall and 3-0 on the No. 2 court. They also went 1-1 in the top draw, and they led the team with their four dual victories.
"We were so excited when Marlayna formally announced her decision to play at HBU. She is such a hard worker both on and off the court that I know she will positively impact their program the moment she steps foot through the door," said Hess. "She is a fierce competitor and great teammate. It will be hard to fill her shoes, but I know she will make a name for herself in her next two years at HBU and even within their conference."
Cumbie is a 5-6 setter headed to The University of Saint Katherine in San Marcos, Calif., which competes in the NAIA. In the 2019 season, she appeared in 27 matches and 86 sets and led the team with 464 assists and 5.4 assists per set. She finished third on the team with 168 digs and tied for fourth on the team with 24 service aces. She dished out a season-high 42 assists in a five-set win over Park University-Gilbert and recorded a season-high 19 digs against Benedictine University-Mesa.
Cumbie finished 1-3 as an individual in the 2021 beach volleyball season, posting a straight-set win with Claire Burford on the third court against Trinidad State Junior College on April 30.
"Mackenzie is a creative and intelligent setter, and her knowledge for the sport sets her apart from others within her age group," said Hess. "She can quickly recognize what offense is working well for her team and make adjustments based on the other team's defense. Kenzie can be one of the top setters within her conference, given her athletic ability, competitive demeanor and knowledge of the game."
Wampler, a 5-9 outside hitter from Goodyear, Ariz., will continue her volleyball career at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan, where the Braves compete in the NAIA. She appeared in 22 matches and 52 sets as a freshman in 2019 and finished with 93 kills, 46 digs and 12 total blocks on the season. Wampler had a season-high 10 kills and six digs in a sweep of American Indian College and had two matches with nine kills. She earned Third Team NJCAA All-Academic Student-Athlete honors for her work in the classroom as well.
"Madison is an athlete that every coach dreams of having. She completely bought into our programs' ideals and vision and carried it with her for all four semesters at SMCC," Hess said. "She is a natural athlete, and the game of volleyball comes to her so easily. As an attacker, she has great range and power, and she also has the competitiveness and court IQ that makes her a great defender. She is a true, 6-rotation Outside Hitter. Ottawa is gaining not only a great athlete but an even better person. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her two years at Ottawa."
Dalley, a 5-4 outside hitter from Tonopah Valley, Ariz., will be attending Boise State University this fall to begin studies in the nursing program. In the 2019 indoor season, Dalley appeared in 29 matches and 78 sets for SMCC as a freshman and totaled 100 kills, 10 service aces and 116 digs. She was one of seven Cougars to record 100 kills on the season and one of six Cougars to record 100 digs. In addition, she earned First Team NJCAA All-Academic Student-Athlete honors.
McDowell, a 5-9 middle blocker from Gilbert, Ariz., will transfer to ASU in the fall to begin her studies in engineering. In 2019, McDowell finished second on the team with 171 kills and hit .269 for the season on 398 total attacks. She led SMCC with 97 total blocks and 17 solo blocks and produced 31 service aces to finish second on the squad. She earned Third Team NJCAA All-Academic Student-Athlete honors.
In the 2021 beach volleyball season, she and Williams finished 3-2 overall, including a 2-1 mark on the top court.
Williams, a 5-3 libero from Chandler, Ariz., is also headed to ASU in the fall. In the 2019 indoor season, she appeared in 24 matches for the Cougars and tied for fourth on the team with 167 digs, an average of 2.53 per set. She also finished sixth on the team with 14 service aces, added 29 assists on the year and had a season-high 28 digs against Mesa CC. Following the season, she earned Second Team NJCAA All-Academic Student-Athlete honors.
In the 2021 beach volleyball season, she and McDowell finished 3-2 overall, including a 2-1 mark on the top court.