Set For Life

On the court and in the classroom,
Angie McGinnis appears to be set for life

By TARA GOODIN
Student Writer

Parties, football games, clubbing and weekly night-before-test cramming sessions. Ah, the life of a college student.

Not so for Gator volleyball setter Angie McGinnis.

When McGinnis, an elementary education major, is not on the court, she is attending classes in Norman Hall, studying or volunteering at a local elementary school. There are barely enough hours in the day for school and sports, much less partying.

"It's definitely rougher being a student athlete. I have to be strict with scheduling, and playing helps me stay focused and use the two free hours I have in a week wisely," McGinnis said.     

The 5-11 junior began playing volleyball competitively by the time she was 10. Even then her inner drive was evident.

"I remember one day I ran two miles home after practice, and my mom wondered why I wanted to run after hours of practicing. It's just that I have so much intensity and it keeps me going," McGinnis said. 

With her senior season still to play, McGinnis is racking up some awesome numbers for the Gators. In 2006, league coaches selected McGinnis as SEC player of the year, the first setter chosen in the 15-year history of the award. She was a first-team All-SEC selection and became the first two-time All-American setter in school history when she was honored as a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American.

But McGinnis is more than just a setter. She has recorded three triple-doubles over the past two seasons. She broke the Florida career setting record for kills, attacks, block solos, block assists, total blocks and points, and is the fastest player in school history to record 4,000 assists. She sparked the Gators to a 30-3 record, a 16^th consecutive SEC title in 2006 and the school's 15^th NCAA regional semifinal appearance.

She also excels off the court.

"I am amazed that Angie can play two volleyball matches a week, some of which require hours for travel, attend all the practices and still get her assignments for my class completed and in
on time.  She is always prepared and participates actively in class," said Professor Linda Lamme, who teaches McGinnis in her children's literature and child education class.  

Despite her hectic schedule, McGinnis has been dating her boyfriend, Harry Polenychko, a Marine who recently returned from Iraq, for more than four years.

"It's been pretty rough having to do the long-distance thing, but we love each
other enough to make it work," McGinnis said.

After she graduates in 2008, she aspires to play for the USA National Team, which competes in a number of international competitions including the Olympics. McGinnis trained with the team last summer. She also hopes to play professionally for an overseas team one day. But teaching remains her long-term career goal.

"I plan on teaching after I finish my volleyball career. My mom is a kindergarten teacher, and I absolutely love working with kids," McGinnis said. 

While college life as both a student and athlete is a challenge, McGinnis attributes her success to her drive to excel in each activity.

"One of my favorite quotes is ‘Dreams don't come true without sacrifices,'" McGinnis said. "Don't let people tell you what to do, because it's that intensity that got me here."