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Indian joining D-1 team in Gator country
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College’s Ryan Maddera, has signed a national letter of intent to continue her volleyball next year at Division I Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La.
The sophomore from Greeley West High School in Colorado first came to MCC in December of 2016 for open tryouts.
“I had a few JUCOS looking at me in high school and actually I didn’t know I was coming to MCC for a tryout, I just thought it was a camp,” Maddera recalls.
As soon as she set foot in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center, she was sold.
“Of all the places I’d visited, MCC has by far the nicest gym,” she said.
“Her journey from a tryout camp all the way to a Division I scholarship is a testament to what hard work in the off-season can help you accomplish,” MCC Coach Hayley Kobza said.
Maddera said during her visit to SE Louisiana, she liked everything about the campus, the city, the culture – even seeing her first alligator -- but mostly that she connected with the coach and teammates and felt like this was the best chance for her to be successful at the next level.
Under new Lady Lion Coach Jeremy White, Maddera is expecting to move to a right-side setter position.
“I’ve never played setter in my life, but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” she said.
Maddera played in 35 matches this past season for the Lady Indians and recorded 398 kills, 228 digs, 16 solo blocks, 73 total blocks and 42 service aces.
She ranked fourth among hitters in the Region IX South division in total kills, her 3.18 kills per set ranked seventh, and total blocks ranked 14th.
Maddera was part of a seven-sophomore class which posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for MCC.