Female athlete of the week

Name: Meagan Dooley Sport: Volleyball Age: 19 Favorite music:… Name: Meagan Dooley Sport: Volleyball Age: 19 Favorite music: Country Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy Favorite football team: Ohio State

The Pitt volleyball team is having quite the season, and since last year, sophomore middle hitter Meagan Dooley has been an essential part of the team’s success. But as the Panthers tear through their Big East schedule, you’ll never hear her admit it.

Dooley, a Cincinnati native and product of Lakota West High School in Ohio, began playing volleyball in fifth grade.

“I fell in love with the game and how it’s a team sport,” Dooley said. “It’s something I think is unique of volleyball.”

Watching her cousin and current Pitt teammate Stephanie Ross play while growing up really helped Dooley get into the game. Then when Ross committed to Pitt, it made her decision to become a Panther even easier.

Dooley’s game combines a mix of offensive weapons and defensive stopping power, making her more dangerous to opponents and more valuable to her team. She led Pitt in solo blocks last season (21), and also held the second highest hitting percentage (.251) while shifting between outside and middle hitter.

This past Sunday against Villanova, Dooley helped the Panthers remain unbeaten at home with an emotional, comeback win, notching 17 kills and six blocks (four solo) on the day.

Her success isn’t limited to volleyball, however, and Dooley can hit the books just as well as she hits the ball. She graduated high school fourth in her class of 600 and was a member of the honor society.

Although not completely decided on a major, Dooley wants to do something that she loves after graduation, which might mean a career in elementary education.

“I love working with kids,” Dooley said.

When not at practice or studying, Dooley can be found hanging out with her friends and having fun, just like most other college students.

Pitt is now 5-1 in Big East play, just one game behind league-leader Louisville. And as the Panthers prepare for their last stretch of games, they need Dooley more than ever. The team has great confidence, though, and Dooley said that as long as the team sticks to its plan and plays well, they have a real chance of taking home the Big East Title.

So after a stellar freshman year and another impressive start to this one, it looks like Dooley’s really digging for success – on and off the court.