Triple threat: Rooney is Davidson's versatile star
10/18/2018 10:46:00 AM | Volleyball
Justin Parker
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Mason Rooney's path to success in volleyball actually began on a college campus 249 miles from Davidson.
The versatile Wildcats senior, who leads the nation with five triple-doubles, grew up playing other sports in Atlanta, but she decided to give volleyball a try while in the eighth grade. At the time, her father, Peter, was working at Oglethorpe University, and he suggested she test the sport in a camp session hosted by the college team.
"At first, I was like, 'No, I don't want to play that sport, I'm good with basketball and soccer,'" says Rooney. "But I went in my basketball shoes and my baggy basketball shorts and loved it. … I just loved it from the start."
Rooney's focus quickly shifted to volleyball, and she secured all the necessary equipment to properly play it. Now, the 6-foot-2 setter/opposite is leading Davidson in both kills (181) and assists (333) as the Wildcats (10-8, 3-4 Atlantic 10) begin a two-match A-10 road swing at Fordham Friday at noon.
"Mason's in the mindset of dominating matches, whether it's setting, digging, attacking or serving," says Davidson coach Chris Willis. "She's just been outstanding in every facet. She's really embraced that role of being one of the best players in the conference on the court."
Rooney's latest triple-double came in last Friday's 3-1 home win over George Washington, which was part of a 3-0 week for the Wildcats. Rooney finished with 17 kills, 21 assists and 12 digs – and a .536 hitting percentage – against the Colonials, which helped her earn national recognition on PrepVolleyball.com.
"What she's hitting right now is the player we always imagined she'd be when we saw her as a sophomore in high school," says Willis. "She has a lot of gravity on the court. Teams have to pay attention to her, so it frees up everyone else to get kills also. So it's win-win across the board."
Rooney also turned in double-digit kills, assists and digs in wins against Charlotte, Mississippi State and Charleston Southern and in a loss at Saint Louis. Dayton's Brooke Westheld, with three, is the only other A-10 player with multiple triple-doubles. The Wildcats have come to expect big things from Rooney, who also leads the team with 26 aces, on a nightly basis.
"The execution is just there, all the time," says senior teammate and close friend Ciera Cockrell. "She's just ready to play every time those lights are on, and that's just amazing to see."
But Rooney's teammates and coaches are relying on her for more than filling the stat sheets. She provides other leadership as well.
"Coach refers to me as 'the driver of the energy bus,'" says Rooney. "I'm very loud and energetic, so that's expected of me on the court."
And while she says it's "exciting" to be leading the country in a statistical category, Rooney admits she is having more fun just competing alongside her teammates as the Wildcats climb the A-10 standings.
"As a setter," says Rooney, "you're trying to put your hitters in the best opportunity to get a kill, so I think my favorite part of volleyball is getting to celebrate them when they do get that great swing or celebrate my passers when they get me a great pass."
The versatile Wildcats senior, who leads the nation with five triple-doubles, grew up playing other sports in Atlanta, but she decided to give volleyball a try while in the eighth grade. At the time, her father, Peter, was working at Oglethorpe University, and he suggested she test the sport in a camp session hosted by the college team.
"At first, I was like, 'No, I don't want to play that sport, I'm good with basketball and soccer,'" says Rooney. "But I went in my basketball shoes and my baggy basketball shorts and loved it. … I just loved it from the start."
Rooney's focus quickly shifted to volleyball, and she secured all the necessary equipment to properly play it. Now, the 6-foot-2 setter/opposite is leading Davidson in both kills (181) and assists (333) as the Wildcats (10-8, 3-4 Atlantic 10) begin a two-match A-10 road swing at Fordham Friday at noon.
"Mason's in the mindset of dominating matches, whether it's setting, digging, attacking or serving," says Davidson coach Chris Willis. "She's just been outstanding in every facet. She's really embraced that role of being one of the best players in the conference on the court."
Rooney's latest triple-double came in last Friday's 3-1 home win over George Washington, which was part of a 3-0 week for the Wildcats. Rooney finished with 17 kills, 21 assists and 12 digs – and a .536 hitting percentage – against the Colonials, which helped her earn national recognition on PrepVolleyball.com.
"What she's hitting right now is the player we always imagined she'd be when we saw her as a sophomore in high school," says Willis. "She has a lot of gravity on the court. Teams have to pay attention to her, so it frees up everyone else to get kills also. So it's win-win across the board."
Rooney also turned in double-digit kills, assists and digs in wins against Charlotte, Mississippi State and Charleston Southern and in a loss at Saint Louis. Dayton's Brooke Westheld, with three, is the only other A-10 player with multiple triple-doubles. The Wildcats have come to expect big things from Rooney, who also leads the team with 26 aces, on a nightly basis.
"The execution is just there, all the time," says senior teammate and close friend Ciera Cockrell. "She's just ready to play every time those lights are on, and that's just amazing to see."
But Rooney's teammates and coaches are relying on her for more than filling the stat sheets. She provides other leadership as well.
"Coach refers to me as 'the driver of the energy bus,'" says Rooney. "I'm very loud and energetic, so that's expected of me on the court."
And while she says it's "exciting" to be leading the country in a statistical category, Rooney admits she is having more fun just competing alongside her teammates as the Wildcats climb the A-10 standings.
"As a setter," says Rooney, "you're trying to put your hitters in the best opportunity to get a kill, so I think my favorite part of volleyball is getting to celebrate them when they do get that great swing or celebrate my passers when they get me a great pass."
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