Former PHS volleyball standout earns Division II full ride

Frontiersman

PALMER - When Jessie Macknicki arrived at Southwestern Oregon Community College, there were a few familiar faces at the Coos Bay, Ore., school. Now as the former Palmer High School standout is ready to embark on the next journey of her college volleyball career, there will once again be a few familiar faces.

Earlier this year, Macknicki signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball squad. Joining her at the Division II school this fall will be a pair of her SWOCC teammates.

&#8220I don't know if I could go to a school by myself. It would be awkward at first,” Macknicki said &#8220It'll make the transition so much easier.”

Macknicki, an outside hitter, is excited she is one of three Laker players heading to Eastern New Mexico, but thrilled with ENM's offer of a full ride. The money alone could have been a determining factor, said Macknicki, who also received an offer from Adams State College in Colorado and an opportunity to play in her home state at Alaska Anchorage.

&#8220UAA wasn't offering much. Why not get it all paid for?” Macknicki said.

Since her senior year at PHS Macknicki had sort of targeted the Division II level, realizing her 5-foot-5 frame may be a bit slight for the Division I ranks. She chose to start her career at a two-year school to improve her skills, and make a name for herself in the world of college volleyball. And that, she did.

Plus, playing with and against athletes in a specific age group was a big help, she said.

&#8220You're not really intimidated by the sophomores. They're only a year older,” Macknicki said.

Macknicki established herself as one of the top players in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. After her sophomore season Macknicki was named her team's MVP, and the co-MVP of the NWACC Southern Division.

If that was not enough, SWOCC tabbed her as the school's female athlete of the year.

Macknicki paced her squad in nearly every statistical category as a sophomore, while leading the Lakers to a region championship.

Her team-high 3.93 kills per game ranked her second in the NWACC, and she was first on her squad and 12th in the league with 4.08 digs per game. Macknicki's 0.51 aces per game was also a team-best.

Speaking of aces, Macknicki has added a jump serve to her list of volleyball skills.

&#8220That's the main serve I do now,” she said. &#8220I've got that pretty much down.”

Macknicki leaves for Portales, N.M., a town located southeast of Albuquerque near the Texas border, on Aug. 6. The Lone Star Conference squad begins the 2006 season at the Colorado Christian College tournament on Aug. 25.

A 2004 graduate of PHS, Macknicki helped lead the Moose to a Northern Lights Conference title and was named the region MVP as a senior.

Contact Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.