Sept. 23, 2015
By Sam DelRosso, GoPSUSports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior Megan Courtney has been called many things ââ'¬" Big Ten Freshman of the Year, NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player, but what is most important to her, is being called a teammate. It drives her to be the best every time she steps on the court.
[I play] for my teammates. It's not so much if I get accolades or if [anyone does]," Courtney said. "It's about our team winning. Not just winning on the court, winning off the court as well. Being great teammates, being great friends, being great people around each other and that's really what drives me."
Courtney has played with redshirt senior Aiyana Whitney since she stepped on campus in 2012. Whitney has seen Courtney improve her serve, her passing and everything in between. Now as co-captains, they are leading the 2015 team together.
"She's always about what the team needs and what she can give to make us better as a unit. She's always seeing the big picture," Whitney said. "You can't ask for anything more from a teammate."
Making the team better is one of Courtney's specialties. On match days, she said it is her job to make sure the team is ready. Sophomore Haleigh Washington said she never has to worry about what Courtney's doing in the game because she knows she's got it taken care of.
"She takes care of herself and is always there to help you. She's a great leader and a great girl who knows the game," Washington said. "It's a blessing getting to play with her."
Being a great leader comes from years of being led. Courtney said she learned her leadership skills from those who came before her, especially her good friends and last season's seniors, Micha Hancock and Dom Gonzalez.
"Micha and Dom were two of my best friends and we were still able to have that fiery, teammate relationship as well. They taught me how to be a leader, but also how to be a good teammate, friend and person," Courtney said.
Courtney consistently attributes her success to her teammates. Washington, a younger player under Courtney's leadership, said one of her favorite sayings is, "good leaders lead from behind and they never take credit" and said Courtney is exactly that.
"I love that she gives it back to her teammates because Megan does amazing things. She makes amazing plays that we couldn't run without her," Washington said. "So the fact that she gives it back to the team is awesome, but give credit where credit is due. And Megan is a great player."
Head coach Russ Rose agrees that Courtney has what it takes to be a great leader and teammate.
"She's tough, she doesn't have fear. She's a kid that's aggressive and feels confident and comfortable in her skin and in the skills she has," Rose said. "That's reflected in her performance."
Playing well is important to Courtney, but being a part of a team means much more than her personal success on the court. She plays for her teammates and her teammates play for her. Whitney said that's what the Penn State women's volleyball family is all about.
"[The Penn State family] is about the girls who were wearing the jerseys 30 years ago and it's about the girls who are going to be wearing the jerseys when I'm long gone," Whitney said. "I'm playing for the girls that are on the bench, the girls that are around me on the court, I'm playing for the girls who played before me and will play after me. It's such a selfless program to be a part of."
The top-ranked Nittany Lions kick off their Big Ten slate on Wednesday against No. 16 Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Catch the match in Rec Hall or on the Big Ten Network.