The volleyball accolades are plentiful for McKenzie Adams, stemming from her time at Steele High School, to her freshman season at the University of Virginia and finally in her last two seasons with the UTSA Roadrunners. She was the first All-American in the volleyball program’s history. She won last season’s Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year honor, and most recently she was named the preseason Conference USA (C-USA) Player of the Year.
With the number of volleyball awards she has received, one might think there is a lot of pressure on Adams heading into her senior season with the ‘Runners. But Adams is not ready to start reflecting on her college career just yet; instead, she is prepped and primed to compete in Conference USA.
“We went from Southland to WAC to Conference USA. Each year it’s just getting better and there is just that sense of urgency to work harder,” Adams said.
Last fall, Adams led the charge to a third straight 20-win season and a strong run in the volleyball WAC Tournament. Adams finished in the top 25 in the nation with 4.33 kills per set while collecting 21 double-doubles to lead the team. It’s easy to see why UTSA Head Coach Laura Groff believes Adams has the potential to be called one of the best players in the country this season.
“She has taken our program to the next level,” Groff said. “She is very well respected by her teammates. It doesn’t matter if she is an All-American; she comes in here and brings it every day.”
The fact that Adams will be graduating soon doesn’t mean her volleyball career will be over. She has plans to try to play overseas and possibly find her way to a coaching career. Right now Adams keeps her mind set on the goals of any student-athlete.
“The number one reason you are here is to go to school. I love volleyball with all my heart. But you are here to get your degree and just learn to be an overall great person,” Adams said.
With a full course load and a C-USA schedule set to begin, Adams keeps her life simple when she is off the court and out of the classroom.
“I sleep. I love naps,” Adams said. “I hang out with my teammates; they are my best friends. I love SpongeBob. I know, how embarrassing right? I love cartoons. I’m not really into MTV. I could care less about 16 and Pregnant.”
In just two seasons, Groff has seen Adams grow into one of the most athletic and team- oriented players the UTSA program has ever seen.
“You want to be like her,” Groff said. “The way she encourages the person next to her, and she helps them be good by staying positive. She is like a momma.”
In the first week of play, Adams was named the C-USA Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week. In addition, she earned all-tournament honors playing in the Tiger Classic where she recorded three double-doubles as UTSA went 1-3 over the weekend.
“I’m trying to take everything in as fast as I can and capture every moment that I know how to,” Adams said. “Just play. Just play until I can’t play anymore, until they tell me to get off the court.”
