Despite many accolades, McGrane not done yet

Set Pitt records? Done that. Win a Big East Championship? Done that as well. Be named Big East… Set Pitt records? Done that. Win a Big East Championship? Done that as well. Be named Big East Libero of the Year? Also done that.

However, Pitt senior libero Megan McGrane is not satisfied just yet. After all, she came to the Fitzgerald hardwood as a walk-on from Muncie, Ind. Once McGrane became the starting libero her freshman season, she and head coach Chris Beerman knew the gamble paid off.

“She’s been a great leader, and every day gives it 100 percent,” Beerman said. “I think as a coach, that’s all you ever want. She’s been very consistent on a daily basis, very consistent in matches. She’s a winner. She’s probably one of the best liberos in the country.”

He added, “She’s kind of worked her way up. By the time the season’s over, she’ll probably be in the top five in digs all time. She’s been a very impactful player.”

Beerman’s expectations are certainly not lofty for a libero who works as hard as McGrane. Many times she has to clean up the mess, sometimes getting down on her knees and keeping the ball in play before it hits the ground. Liberos also have limitations, which include not being able to play in the front row of the formation and more noticeably, the libero wears the opposite color uniform her teammates wear. Dirty kneepads are common and bruises and scrapes are almost a must.

Yet McGrane, a rehabilitation science major, only sees this as positive.

“It’s great. I really love being a libero,” the all-time digs leader in Pitt history said. “You get to be on the floor all the time and try to dig as many balls as you can. You have to be ready at all times and it’s a great position to be. I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

After a successful career at Muncie’s Delta High School, which included the school’s first state championship her senior year, McGrane decided to go to Pitt, advised she had a chance to make the team by her coaches on the Asics Munciana club team, who had connections with Pitt head coach Chris Beerman.

McGrane walked into Beerman’s office and asked for a spot. The two had some familiarity with each other because Beerman had graduated from Ball State, which is in Muncie, and had been in contact with McGrane’s coaches.

“I was impressed with her personality and her motive. Those two things and her personality matched really well,” Beerman said. “I knew her coaches too, and when I called them, they all just loved her.”

In her sophomore year, the Panthers surprised everyone by defeating Notre Dame – in South Bend – to win their first Big East title in 11 years. That year, McGrane won the Big East Libero of the Year and received a well-deserved scholarship. The following year, McGrane broke the Panther record for digs, ending the year with 1,803 total. This was enhanced by her Big East record of 713 digs and her school record of 38 in a game against Dayton.

McGrane’s desire and presence has also rubbed off on her teammates, which include six freshmen and three sophomores. Her golden rule for performance is simple.

“Just have a good work ethic, come to practice every day to work hard. You want to get better every single day,” she said.

It has worked well so far for the senior, who has added 177 digs to her total this season.

“I admire her work ethic. She’s a perfectionist. She likes to get things done. She’s never satisfied, even though she’s had a lot of success. It’s the kind of attributes you want in all your players, but she definitely has that,” Beerman said.

McGrane says once she graduates, she wants to be a sports physical therapist, but despite her records, for now she’s not through.

“We want to win the Big East again and to get back to the NCAA Tournament, so that’s a goal we’re working for every day.”