Keller volleyball star overcomes father’s death to send Indians to first state tourney
The Keller volleyball team has gone to new heights this season - reaching where its never reached before.
The UIL state volleyball tournament.
Keller (31-12) takes on Fort Bend Ridge Point (38-10) in a Class 6A semifinal game at 7 p.m. Friday at Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
With two wins, the Indians will capture their ultimate goal of a state championship, but it will also solidify a journey that started 10 years ago for senior Melanie McGann.
One that’s close to her heart.
McGann, the team’s leading outside hitter, and her father, Steve, did everything together during her childhood, like most daddy-daughter relationships.
“For as long as I can remember we did everything together and he was always teaching me new things,” McGann said. “We would go to the tennis courts by my house and play tennis or play soccer in our front lawn. I even played hockey. He was my biggest fan and was at all of my games to support me.”
But during her darkest day, McGann might not have been on the volleyball team. She might not have been committed to West Virginia.
She might have given up sports all together.
Steve was a mechanic at American Airlines and suffered a head injury one day when the ladder he was on gave out. Steve fell and cut his head and broke his arm.
He wasn’t quite the same the next two years, but continued to cheer on Melanie during her soccer playing days.
Then Steve McGann committed suicide on Feb. 10, 2011.
“It was so hard for Mel. She kept looking in the stands for him,” Melanie’s mother, Kim said.
Mel was 7 years old. Her younger sister, Megan, was 5.
“It was too much for Melanie. She ended up quitting soccer,” Kim McGann added.
Said Mel, “I stopped playing sports for 4 or 5 months after he passed away because that was something we always did together. At the time, it was too hard for me to continue soccer.”
But a new light shined in her life nearly half a year later.
Melanie was always tall for her age, so Kim suggested volleyball.
“It was something I never tried, but was always told I’d be good at it,” McGann said. “I knew my dad would have wanted me to continue doing what I love so I decided to start volleyball.”
Her first volleyball game was on her 8th birthday.
Ten years later, and he’s among the best players in the area.
McGann has smashed the single-season school record with 600 kills and the Indians finished the regular season as the No. 1 Fort Worth-area team in 6A.
“I’ve known Mel since my freshman year, and being around her is just so much fun,” Keller junior Taylor Polivka said. “She’s absolutely hilarious and always finds a way to make all of us laugh.
“Playing with her is amazing because she’s so talented. I am able to give her any set and know she will put the ball away.”
When Mel was a freshman, Lauren Rao was hired as Keller’s coach.
“She is so versatile. She started playing middle for us and finally to the outside for this season. She actually played middle in preseason while we were working through some injuries.
“She’s done every position with a smile on her face and a drive to get better. She’s truly a team player, and her teammates would say the same thing. She wants the best for her team, wherever they need her.”
Keller won the District 4-6A championship and beat Plano West and Haslet Eaton in the 6A Region 1 tournament.
If the Indians win on Friday night, they’ll play for a state title at 5 p.m. Saturday.
A win will help Melanie and symbolize Steve McGann in a way only she knows.
“Winning a state title would be the most amazing feeling in the world. This team has made history at Keller and no matter where we finish this weekend, these girls are some of the hardest working people I know and I’m so proud of this team.
“Winning a state title would symbolize my dad in a way and our close relationship we had over sports. I wish he was here to see everything I’ve overcome, but I know he’s always watching and cheering for me in Heaven.”
Fort Worth-area volleyball teams at state tournament
Keller (31-12): Class 6A semifinal, 7 p.m. Friday
Players to watch: OH Melanie McGann, OH Reagan Sharp, MB Leah Ford, S Taylor Polivka
Grapevine (21-17): Class 5A semifinal, 1 p.m. Friday
Players to watch: OH Janet deMarraris, OH Alea Lastinger, MB Ava Shankle, OH Sydney Engel
Argyle Liberty Christian (41-9): TAPPS 6A semifinal, 12:30 p.m. Friday
Players to watch: OH Madison Morrow, S Reagan Fifer, MB Jadyn Fife, MB Kaley Janusek
Fort Worth Christian (27-8-2): TAPPS 5A semifinal, 6 p.m. Friday
Players to watch: OH Bella Smith, OH Magie Quinn, DS Chaeli Haupert, S Parker Williams
Pantego Christian (14-7-1): TAPPS 4A semifinal, 6 p.m. Thursday
Players to watch: DS Carlie Harder, OH Maddie McDonald, S Abbie McDonald, OH Ashlyn Turner
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 11:30 AM.
