Get to know volleyball superstar Maggie Plush! The middle blocker was named All-Skyway Conference First Team for the second straight year and ended up being named Player of the Year. Hitting .269 in league play with 16 solo blocks and six block assists, Plush recently became the first-ever Panther to go to the D1 level. She will be headed to Grambling State University (Grambling, La) and cannot wait for next season!
Go MC Panthers: How are you able to balance studies, social, and family life to go along with practice/games?
Plush Answer: Whenever you join a collegiate sport, your team becomes your family in a way. You eat, study, hang out, and sleep together most of the time. All the sports in a college are usually really close because you tend to hang out with your team and then hang out with other teams. You all kind of have the same schedule and go through the same struggles. My dad and I would call each other in the mornings in between classes and before bed so he was a really strong support system. If everything was falling apart I would usually just call him and cry. Being in a collegiate sport is a big commitment and you have almost no free time. It is extremely fun and worth it, but you have to be dedicated and have a true passion.
Go MC Panthers: What is your favorite food?
Plush: My favorite food since I moved to Chicago would definitely have to be a caniac combo from canes chicken.
Go MC Panthers: Favorite pre-game or postgame meal, any good luck charms/habits, rituals?
Plush: El Taco de Jalisco is a restaurant very close to the school and the girls and I would go on taco runs before the game all the time. I'm a very superstitious person so to play my best I had to have my socks folded a certain way, the right sports bra, the right spandex, the right hair tie, etc. A good luck charm would have been my pigtails for sure. Scout Kinzie and Alara and I always had to drink a RedBull before a big game.
Go MC Panthers: Favorite genre of TV (show, movie)?
Plush: Comedy
Go MC Panthers: Any favorite sports movie?
Plush: 100% "The Blind Side"
Go MC Panthers: Which team in sports is your favorite?
Plush: University of Illinois volleyball team.
Go MC Panthers: What was your favorite part about your coach, Steve Dowjotas while playing here?
Plush: My favorite thing about Coach Steve was he gave Tough Love, but he really cared and wanted to make our team better. Mostly his smart comments. He holds us to a high standard and knows what he's doing.
Go MC Panthers: What is next for you and what are you looking forward to most?
Plush: I am heading to Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, and excited is an understatement. I can't wait to see what Grambling has to offer and what experiences I will endure. I am sure that Coach Lucas will make me a better player, person, and woman. She and Coach Monica have both already shown me that they really care about me as a person and I have a good feeling about the culture of the team already.
Go MC Panthers: Do you have an inspiration or somebody that you lean on or look up to?
Plush: My dad is a big inspiration to me. He has the best support system I have ever had and he is simply the best. He always makes sure that I have everything that I need and I am so grateful to have a dad as great as him. I would be lost without him. My favorite quote is "everything happens for a reason."
Go MC Panthers: Favorite class you've taken at Morton College?
Plush: My favorite class I took at Morton College was Microbiology, I learned a lot and the lab experience was amazing.
Go MC Panthers: Why did you choose Morton College? What do you love most about it?
Plush: I chose Morton College because I wanted to be by the city and experience Chicago itself. I also have a big passion for volleyball and I knew that the Morton volleyball program was on the rise and I wanted to be a part of its upbringing. I love that Morton takes care of their athletes by making sure that they always have a healthy snack with our nutrition center and making sure that they are wearing some of the nicest gear.
Go MC Panthers: What memory, moment on or off the court will stand out to you that you will cherish years down the road from being at Morton College?
Plush: My favorite memory is looking online to find out that I was Player of the Year. I immediately started crying with joy and I called my dad. That award means so much to me!
Go MC Panthers: Funniest teammate and example or why are they so funny?
Plush: If you ask anyone who the funniest teammate is they will most likely tell you it is Scout. She is probably one of the funniest people I know and it is because she does the goofiest stuff and doesn't care who's watching. I admire that about her and hope she never loses that.
Go MC Panthers: Personal adjustments you have made on the court?
Plush: This year I really needed to get better at blocking because I struggled in that area and it is a big part of any team.
Go MC Panthers: One thing we should know about why you are so successful?
Plush: Anybody can be successful in anything that they want to do if they actually believe that they can do it and they are doing everything that is in their power to achieve that goal.
Go MC Panthers: What are you most looking forward to this summer and upcoming fall after graduation?
Plush: I move to Louisiana in about 38 days. I am excited to be with my team and develop our bond and get ready to demolish our upcoming season. I'm also excited to continue taking classes to become a nurse practitioner. Moving 9 1/2 hours away is extremely out of my comfort zone but I'm excited to see what my experience will be.
Go MC Panthers: Favorite part about volleyball?
Plush: My favorite part about volleyball is about mid-season when the team is attached at the hip and does everything together. The cute gear and the good food are also a plus.
Go MC Panthers: Other sports that you enjoy playing back in the day or fun with friends, and family?
Plush: I still miss doing gymnastics and being a cheerleader. If I'm being honest I don't miss running track but it was a great experience. I'm glad that I continued playing volleyball after high school and I have 100% no regrets about that.
Go MC Panthers: Favorite time of the year?
Plush: My favorite time of year is right before the season starts and mid-season because everyone is super close and super excited to win games.
Go MCPanthers: When is your birthday?
Plush: July 13th, I turn 21 soon!!
Go MCPanthers: Is there a Twitter Account/social media that you would like to share for Panther followers?
Plush: My Instagram is Maggie.Plush
Original source can be found here.
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