When the Pitt Panthers women’s volleyball team takes the court for a match, sophomore libero… When the Pitt Panthers women’s volleyball team takes the court for a match, sophomore libero Megan McGrane wears a different color jersey than the rest of the team.

She swears it isn’t because she’s special. McGrane was senior class president in high school and spent three years on the National Honor Society. McGrane was on teams that were state champions in Volleyball and the State Runner-Up, in Tennis. And that was just in high school.

In her freshman year at Pitt, McGrane, a Muncie, Ind. native, was the only Panther to see action in all 105 games. She broke the school record for digs in a season, totaling 495, which was good enough to place first in the Big East Conference.

Now in her sophomore year, McGrane has helped the Panthers to a very strong start, which has included a five-game winning streak while leading the country in digs, with over six digs per contest.

“She’s the best libero in the country right now, if you break it down by numbers, and I believe [she is the best player] in general,” head coach Chris Beerman said. “When you have something that is the best, you tend to rely on it.”

McGrane has enjoyed her success but hasn’t let personal statistics or accolades get in the way of what she wants for the team.

“It’s a team game, and that’s what I am here to do. My ultimate goal is to win the Big East [Conference] and win the Big East Tournament,” McGrane said.

After the Panthers went 16-9 overall in 2002, McGrane and her teammates were determined to become better this year. McGrane was one of many Panthers who stayed in Pittsburgh as much as possible over the summer to help the squad improve.

“We really worked hard all summer, lifting and conditioning together. That’s what volleyball is about, working hard and playing together as a team and we all need each other to be successful.”

Currently enrolled in the School of Arts ‘amp; Sciences, Megan hopes to enroll in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences next semester and head for a degree in physical therapy.

When she’s not studying to keep her 3.5 QPA or staying late after practice, she spends a lot of time with her teammates, watching movies or going out to dinner. She loves country music and her favorite artists include Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney.

“She’s a lot of fun to be around. She’s very intelligent and witty. She is always someone you want to have in your van on the road,” Beerman said. “She fits in with everyone; there isn’t one person on the team she doesn’t get along with. She helps create an inner chemistry within the team based around her.”