Player Spotlight: Margaret Dean, Trinity
Sport: Volleyball
Class: 2017
Position: Setter
Her story: A second-team all-district selection from 2014, Dean enters her junior season with the Lady Trojans, her third with the varsity squad. Last season, she helped the Lady Trojans to their third-straight playoff trip. She finished the year with 29 aces (third on the team), 322 digs (third) and a team-high 923 assists (8.5 per set). Dean has played since she was 10 and focuses only on volleyball at Trinity. “Trinity is not like any other high school, the diversity of the school brings us all closer and gives a sense of family – playing at Trinity is an exhilarating experience, the home games are insane because of our amazing supporters,” Dean said. “I was trying to play all of the sports when I was younger [but] volleyball found a special place in my heart. I have stuck with it so long because it allows me to be competitive and push myself further than the other sports. It tests my ability to adapt and learn new ways to over come being only 5-foot-7.” Mom and dad are her inspirations – always pushing her to do better and get better. “No matter what, my parents are always there for me and always have been, win or lose. They have always been proud of me and my accomplishments,” Dean said. Another role model in her life is Trinity alum Piyusha Boteju – Dean would like to follow in the footsteps of the University of Denver setter. “She has always taken me under her wing and pushed me to be the best leader I can be. She has helped me shape the way I play volleyball and will always be a very influential and inspiring person in my life,” Dean said. With two years left in high school, Dean is getting interest from several colleges and hopes to pursue a major in kinesiology.
Fun fact: After a hard loss or long practice, Dean likes to relieve stress by hitting baseballs.
She said of the Lady Trojans: “Last season was quite bizarre. We had many injuries along with illnesses that came up along the course of the season, which forced a couple of girls to step up. We had five very influential seniors that graduated last year, so this season will come with an even bigger fire than before to be better than last year’s team.”
She said of Coach Mia Langi: “Coach Langi has been there for us all. She is like a second mother to me, and no matter what, she pushes the other girls and I to excel academically, on the court and off, and in our community. I know she will drop anything for us in an instant and I can honestly say I would do the same for her. She is an inspiration to me on and off the court.”
- Brian Gosset, bgosset@star-telegram.com
This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Player Spotlight: Margaret Dean, Trinity."